Late Points Evade Hoosiers in Thursday Setback

Thursday, October 16

Indianapolis, Ind.

7 p.m.

Indiana University

14-3,5-2Big Ten

#12 Purdue

14-3,5-2Big Ten

Purdue

Indiana

10/16/2025 10:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Watch: Highlights

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – In front of a fantastic crowd of over 6,400 people, the Indiana volleyball team (14-3, 5-2 B1G) saw sets slip away late as it fell in four to top-15 Purdue. IU had a chance to take an advantage in the match but couldn't find crucial points in games three and four as Purdue worked a 3-1 victory (25-19, 17-25, 25-20, 25-21) on Thursday (Oct. 16) evening at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Head coach Steve Aird agreed to exchange a true home match for a contest in Indianapolis against IU's in-state rival. He wanted the opportunity to immerse his young program in a big environment on a national stage. The Hoosiers got every bit of that experience with a NCAA Tournament-type feel to Thursday's regular season contest.

IU found its offense in spurts throughout the match, hitting .262 with 55 kills in four sets. Following the second set, IU was hitting north of .350. That mark teetered off as Purdue increased serving and defensive pressure. Senior opposite Avry Tatum led all Hoosiers with 15 kills. Freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager had 14 kills while freshman middle blocker Victoria Gray went for a career-high 10 kills (.643 hitting percentage).

The Hoosiers out dug Purdue (50-40) but struggled in serve-receive. Purdue pushed and pulled its servers and found big runs from serving specialist Sienna Foster. IU was aced 10 times and was also blocked on 11 occasions. Purdue committed just three reception errors and had just seven attacking errors after set two.

After an injury to sophomore middle blocker Ella Boersema in the second set, IU struggle to find its block in the contest. The Hoosiers had just six blocks – led by three from Gray – in four games. Boersema finished with three kills on five swings. Senior middle blocker Madi Sell provided five kills in reserve. Freshman setter Teodora Kričković matched a career high with 49 assists.

IU will look to shake off back-to-back defeats on Sunday (Oct. 19) afternoon against Ohio State. The two sides will meet at Noon on the Big Ten Network at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington. The match will start a run of three-straight contests inside IU's home venue.

How it Happened
• Purdue was fantastic in the battle of serve and pass. After going to the short serve early, the Boilermakers pivoted and found the seams with flat, heavy balls. They had 10 aces on the night, provided by six different players. They were aced just three times in return and settled into passing patterns in the final two sets.

• IU's offensive numbers were good through two sets but dropped off over games three and four. IU had at least 12 kills in all four sets but never sided out above 64 percent in the match. Purdue outside hitter Kenna Wollard found her touch after being benched in the second set. She had a match-high 18 kills.

Top Hoosier Performers
#13 Tatum, Avry
15 kills

#10 Kričković, Teodora
49 assists, 10 digs, 1 block

#23 Gray, Victoria
10 kills, .643 hitting percentage, 3 blocks

Notes to Know
• Gainbridge Fieldhouse hosted just over 6,450 people in Thursday's match in Indianapolis. It was the first-ever volleyball match played inside the professional basketball arena. For IU, it was the largest announced home crowd attendance since playing a match at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in 2008 with over 8,000 fans.

• Freshman middle blocker Victoria Gray provided a career-high 10 kills in the defeat to No. 12 Purdue. She's the first IU middle blocker with at least 10 kills in a match since Ava Vickers at Washington (10) in 2024. Gray also had three blocks and is now tied for the team lead on the season with 59 rejections (1.13 per set).

• Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum had her 13th match with at least 15 kills during her time at IU. In the process, she took her career tally to 994 through four years of college volleyball. She's now just six kills away from passing 1,000 kills – a mark she can reach on Sunday against Ohio State.

• This was the first match this season where the Hoosiers lost while hitting above .250. Freshman setter Teodora Kričković matched a career high with 49 assists and had her third career double-double (49 assists, 10 digs). All five primary attackers finished with at least five kills.