Indiana University Athletics
Thursday, October 16
Indianapolis, Ind.
7 p.m.
Indiana University
vs
#12 Purdue
Volleyball Central: Purdue
10/13/2025 3:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – One of the sport's biggest rivalries will take center stage on Thursday (Oct. 16) evening in Indianapolis. The Indiana volleyball team (14-2, 5-1 B1G) will meet longtime rival Purdue in the battle for the Monon Spike at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. First serve will come at 7 p.m. with Jack Kizer and Emily Ehman on the call for the Big Ten Network.
The Hoosiers are off to one of the best starts in program history. They won the first five matches in conference play and started 5-0 in Big Ten action for the first time in the existence of the program. As of the latest RPI release (Oct. 13), IU already owns five top-50 RPI wins this year. It will still have seven opportunities – including Thursday against Purdue – to pick up more premier victories.
IU's offense has been a strong part of its early success this season. It is sixth nationally and third in the Big Ten in team hitting percentage (.299). All three of IU's primary attackers are averaging at least 3.40 kills per set. It is the only school in the conference with multiple players averaging 3.40 kills per set or more. Freshman setter Teodora Kričković leads all NCAA freshmen with 10.76 assists per set.
The next challenge on the schedule is a Purdue team that has dominated the series under head coach Dave Shondell. IU has won the Monon Spike, contested annually at alternating home sites, just twice since 2007. The Hoosiers last won the game in 2023 behind a near triple-double from former setter Camryn Haworth.
Thursday's game begins a stretch of four-straight home matches for the Hoosiers. After playing five of its first six games on the road, IU will close the season with nine of its final 14 matches at home. Eight of those will come at Wilkinson Hall – beginning with a Sunday (Oct. 19) tilt vs. Ohio State in Bloomington.
Gameday Info
vs. #12 Purdue (Thursday, October 16th – 7 p.m.)
Live Video: bit.ly/44wik9K
Live Stats: bit.ly/3IV9YCs
Stat and Trends
• The Hoosiers have used a lot of their freshman talent so far this season. Six of IU's seven freshmen have played at least 11 matches this season. Five of those players have appeared in every game this season including outside hitter Jaidyn Jager and libero Audrey Jackson.
• IU's block has been extremely potent this season. On 10 different occasions this year, IU has provided at least eight blocks in a single match. Seven of those contests have been double-digit efforts from head coach Steve Aird's crew. Six different players have 29-or-more rejections this season.
Notable
A B1G START: Indiana began the conference slate at 5-0 before dropping its first contest at Michigan State. It was the best start to Big Ten play in program history and has included four road victories. IU wrapped up a four-match road swing by winning three contests, including road wins at No. 17 USC and No. 24 UCLA.
CLOSING IN ON 1K: Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum will have a crack at a massive milestone in her college career this week. She is just 21 kills away from reaching 1,000 career kills. She will have opportunities against Purdue and Ohio State this week. Sunday will likely be her 100th career appearance in college.
HOME ACTION: IU played five of its first six Big Ten games on the road. The Hoosiers will end with nine home contests in the final 14 matches of the regular season. IU is giving up a true home match to play Thursday's game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse but will have eight of the final 13 matches of the year at Wilkinson Hall.
TIME TO BOUNCE BACK: The Hoosiers will have a chance to reset after a tough sweep at the hands of Michigan State on October 12th. The last time IU lost a match, it rattled off six-straight wins to follow. It will get the first crack at Purdue this season to open up a stretch of four-straight matches in the state of Indiana.
ANOTHER BIG OPPORTUNITY: IU will search for its third ranked win of the season on Thursday evening in Indianapolis. The last time the Hoosiers won at least three games against top-25 opponents in the same year - they went to the NCAA Tournament (5 - 2010). IU has 14 all-time wins against top-15 opposition.
JAGER LEADS THE CHARGE: Freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager has been a fantastic addition to the IU program this year. She leads all Big Ten freshmen with 3.40 kills per set and will have a chance to be the league's Freshman of the Year. She has 10+ kills in 12 of IU's 16 matches this season.
FLINGING THE ROCK: Freshman setter Teodora Kričković has settled in nicely to her role with the team this year. She is second in the conference in assists per set (10.76) and is running a very fast offense. The Hoosiers have hit .250 or better in 13 of the 16 contests this year.
BIG HOOSIER BLOCK: The Hoosiers become one of the best blocking teams in the conference behind the development of sophomore middle blocker Ella Boersema. IU is second in the conference as a team with 2.80 blocks per set. Boersema leads all athletes in the conference (min. 15 sets played) with 1.45 blocks per set.
CHAR DEBUTS: Freshman outside hitter Charlotte Vinson made her collegiate debut on Sunday at Michigan State, completing a long journey back to the court. She was on life support in spring of 2024 with toxic shock syndrome but has fully recovered and is expected to be a big part of IU's future plans.
BALANCED OFFENSE: IU is the only team with multiple players averaging 3.40 kills per set this year in the Big Ten. In fact, no other team has more than one. However, the Hoosiers have all three pin hitters providing 3.40 or more kills. Senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles leads with 3.58 kills per set.
BIG POINTS: The Hoosiers are top-15 nationally in both blocks per set (2.80) and team hitting percentage (.299). On top of that, IU provides 13.82 kills per set which is 26th nationally and fourth in the Big Ten. IU's .299 team hitting percentage is on track to be a single-season program record.
ANOTHER MARUQEE WIN: As of the RPI release on Oct. 13, IU currently is No. 10 in the country. It has five top-50 RPI wins on the season - four of those away from home. The only two losses IU has taken are against top-50 programs. A win over No. 12 Purdue would add another signature win to the resume.
Scouting the Opponent
Purdue (13-3, 3-3 B1G)
• The Boilermakers were hit hard by the transfer portal but have responded nicely in the 23rd season under Dave Shondell – the winningest coach in program history. Purdue is off to a 13-3 start and has wins over SMU, Kansas, USC and UCLA.
• Outside hitter Kenna Wollard is enjoying an All-American caliber season. She is averaging 4.75 kills per set and is hitting .266 as a six-rotation player. She's also picking up 1.75 digs per set and has 27 blocks. She is supplemented by veteran hitters Akasha Anderson (2.43 kills per set) and Grace Heaney (2.97 kills per set).
• Setter Taylor Anderson is running the show in her third season. She is third in the Big Ten with 10.56 assists per set. Libero Ryan McAleer is enjoying a great season in the back row. She's averaging 3.64 digs per set and leads a Purdue team that provides 13.26 digs per set.
Inside the Series
Purdue
• The Boilermakers have been the premier team in the state since Dave Shondell took over the program in 2023. He is 40-4 against the Hoosiers since taking charge of the Purdue program.
• Head coach Steve Aird has had some close calls against Purdue during his time at Indiana. Before breaking through and winning in 2023, he had lost four times in five sets. His first three games against Purdue while at IU were five-set losses.
• All-time, Purdue leads the series at 79-36. The Hoosiers have won the Monon Spike just twice (2007, 2023) since 2003. This will be the first contest played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Hoosiers are off to one of the best starts in program history. They won the first five matches in conference play and started 5-0 in Big Ten action for the first time in the existence of the program. As of the latest RPI release (Oct. 13), IU already owns five top-50 RPI wins this year. It will still have seven opportunities – including Thursday against Purdue – to pick up more premier victories.
IU's offense has been a strong part of its early success this season. It is sixth nationally and third in the Big Ten in team hitting percentage (.299). All three of IU's primary attackers are averaging at least 3.40 kills per set. It is the only school in the conference with multiple players averaging 3.40 kills per set or more. Freshman setter Teodora Kričković leads all NCAA freshmen with 10.76 assists per set.
The next challenge on the schedule is a Purdue team that has dominated the series under head coach Dave Shondell. IU has won the Monon Spike, contested annually at alternating home sites, just twice since 2007. The Hoosiers last won the game in 2023 behind a near triple-double from former setter Camryn Haworth.
Thursday's game begins a stretch of four-straight home matches for the Hoosiers. After playing five of its first six games on the road, IU will close the season with nine of its final 14 matches at home. Eight of those will come at Wilkinson Hall – beginning with a Sunday (Oct. 19) tilt vs. Ohio State in Bloomington.
Gameday Info
vs. #12 Purdue (Thursday, October 16th – 7 p.m.)
Live Video: bit.ly/44wik9K
Live Stats: bit.ly/3IV9YCs
Stat and Trends
• The Hoosiers have used a lot of their freshman talent so far this season. Six of IU's seven freshmen have played at least 11 matches this season. Five of those players have appeared in every game this season including outside hitter Jaidyn Jager and libero Audrey Jackson.
• IU's block has been extremely potent this season. On 10 different occasions this year, IU has provided at least eight blocks in a single match. Seven of those contests have been double-digit efforts from head coach Steve Aird's crew. Six different players have 29-or-more rejections this season.
Notable
A B1G START: Indiana began the conference slate at 5-0 before dropping its first contest at Michigan State. It was the best start to Big Ten play in program history and has included four road victories. IU wrapped up a four-match road swing by winning three contests, including road wins at No. 17 USC and No. 24 UCLA.
CLOSING IN ON 1K: Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum will have a crack at a massive milestone in her college career this week. She is just 21 kills away from reaching 1,000 career kills. She will have opportunities against Purdue and Ohio State this week. Sunday will likely be her 100th career appearance in college.
HOME ACTION: IU played five of its first six Big Ten games on the road. The Hoosiers will end with nine home contests in the final 14 matches of the regular season. IU is giving up a true home match to play Thursday's game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse but will have eight of the final 13 matches of the year at Wilkinson Hall.
TIME TO BOUNCE BACK: The Hoosiers will have a chance to reset after a tough sweep at the hands of Michigan State on October 12th. The last time IU lost a match, it rattled off six-straight wins to follow. It will get the first crack at Purdue this season to open up a stretch of four-straight matches in the state of Indiana.
ANOTHER BIG OPPORTUNITY: IU will search for its third ranked win of the season on Thursday evening in Indianapolis. The last time the Hoosiers won at least three games against top-25 opponents in the same year - they went to the NCAA Tournament (5 - 2010). IU has 14 all-time wins against top-15 opposition.
JAGER LEADS THE CHARGE: Freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager has been a fantastic addition to the IU program this year. She leads all Big Ten freshmen with 3.40 kills per set and will have a chance to be the league's Freshman of the Year. She has 10+ kills in 12 of IU's 16 matches this season.
FLINGING THE ROCK: Freshman setter Teodora Kričković has settled in nicely to her role with the team this year. She is second in the conference in assists per set (10.76) and is running a very fast offense. The Hoosiers have hit .250 or better in 13 of the 16 contests this year.
BIG HOOSIER BLOCK: The Hoosiers become one of the best blocking teams in the conference behind the development of sophomore middle blocker Ella Boersema. IU is second in the conference as a team with 2.80 blocks per set. Boersema leads all athletes in the conference (min. 15 sets played) with 1.45 blocks per set.
CHAR DEBUTS: Freshman outside hitter Charlotte Vinson made her collegiate debut on Sunday at Michigan State, completing a long journey back to the court. She was on life support in spring of 2024 with toxic shock syndrome but has fully recovered and is expected to be a big part of IU's future plans.
BALANCED OFFENSE: IU is the only team with multiple players averaging 3.40 kills per set this year in the Big Ten. In fact, no other team has more than one. However, the Hoosiers have all three pin hitters providing 3.40 or more kills. Senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles leads with 3.58 kills per set.
BIG POINTS: The Hoosiers are top-15 nationally in both blocks per set (2.80) and team hitting percentage (.299). On top of that, IU provides 13.82 kills per set which is 26th nationally and fourth in the Big Ten. IU's .299 team hitting percentage is on track to be a single-season program record.
ANOTHER MARUQEE WIN: As of the RPI release on Oct. 13, IU currently is No. 10 in the country. It has five top-50 RPI wins on the season - four of those away from home. The only two losses IU has taken are against top-50 programs. A win over No. 12 Purdue would add another signature win to the resume.
Scouting the Opponent
Purdue (13-3, 3-3 B1G)
• The Boilermakers were hit hard by the transfer portal but have responded nicely in the 23rd season under Dave Shondell – the winningest coach in program history. Purdue is off to a 13-3 start and has wins over SMU, Kansas, USC and UCLA.
• Outside hitter Kenna Wollard is enjoying an All-American caliber season. She is averaging 4.75 kills per set and is hitting .266 as a six-rotation player. She's also picking up 1.75 digs per set and has 27 blocks. She is supplemented by veteran hitters Akasha Anderson (2.43 kills per set) and Grace Heaney (2.97 kills per set).
• Setter Taylor Anderson is running the show in her third season. She is third in the Big Ten with 10.56 assists per set. Libero Ryan McAleer is enjoying a great season in the back row. She's averaging 3.64 digs per set and leads a Purdue team that provides 13.26 digs per set.
Inside the Series
Purdue
• The Boilermakers have been the premier team in the state since Dave Shondell took over the program in 2023. He is 40-4 against the Hoosiers since taking charge of the Purdue program.
• Head coach Steve Aird has had some close calls against Purdue during his time at Indiana. Before breaking through and winning in 2023, he had lost four times in five sets. His first three games against Purdue while at IU were five-set losses.
• All-time, Purdue leads the series at 79-36. The Hoosiers have won the Monon Spike just twice (2007, 2023) since 2003. This will be the first contest played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
OH/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
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IUVB vs. Michigan State: Highlights
Sunday, October 12
IUVB vs. Michigan: Highlights
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IUVB vs. UCLA: Highlights
Sunday, October 05