Preseason Primer: Volleyball
8/6/2025 9:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
PRESEASON PRIMER
The Indiana volleyball program officially kicks off its 2025 campaign with its first team practice on Wednesday (Aug. 6) afternoon at Wilkinson Hall. There are just three weeks until the Hoosiers begin the regular season on the road against Miami (Fla.) in Coral Gables.
A mix of veteran players and talented newcomers make up a 17-player squad for eighth-year head coach Steve Aird in Bloomington this season. Leading the way for IU is one of the Big Ten's most productive duos in senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles and senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum.
Among returning offensive duos in the Big Ten, no pair combined for more kills per set than Alonso-Corcelles and Tatum (7.20). At power four schools, where both players were on the team last season, only Stanford's Elia Rubin and Ipar Kurt (7.21) had more kills per set.
Two of IU's highest-ranked recruits in program history – outside hitters Charlotte Vinson and Jaidyn Jager – will help add depth to the crucial position this season. Along with veteran utility player Jessica Smith, the Hoosiers have a host of arms to score valuable points in the conference
Senior Madi Sell and Ava Vickers return in the middle and are aided by sophomore Ella Boersema and highly-regarded freshman Victoria Gray. With an extra year under the belt for all players, IU is expecting more offensive production from the group this season.
IU's incoming freshman class – which includes six American players and Serbian setter Teodora Krickovic – is the top-ranked group (No. 14 – Prep Dig) to ever make it to Bloomington. Defensive specialists Hannah Leftridge, Avery Freeman and Audrey Jackson will all see the court at some point early this season.
Below is a list of news and notes to know ahead of the 2025 volleyball campaign.
DATES TO KNOW
• Wednesday, August 6th: First Day of Practice
• Saturday, August 23rd: Cream and Crimson Scrimmage
• Friday, August 29th: Season Opener
• Thursday, September 4th: Home Opener
• Wednesday, September 24th: Big Ten Opener
• Saturday, September 27th: Big Ten Home Opener
• Thursday, October 16th: Gainbridge Fieldhouse Match, Monon Spike Match
• Saturday, November 22nd: Senior Night
PRESEASON BIG TEN NOTES
The Hoosiers were selected 11th in the Big Ten in the preseason coaches' poll. IU has met or exceeded preseason predictions in each of the last three years. IU was without a representative on the 18-player Big Ten preseason team but does return four starters from last year's team.
2024 IN REVIEW
Stacking Seasons
• The Hoosiers have put together a strong run of form over the last three seasons. Since 2022, IU has finished at .500 or better and has won 28 Big Ten matches in that stretch. Those 28 conference victories are the most in a three-year run since the turn of the century.
Home Environment
• IU has put together a 21-7 record at Wilkinson Hall over the last two years. All but one loss in that stretch was to a ranked opponent. The Hoosiers will have 12 games on their home court in 2025 and will hope to put together another strong year in Bloomington.
Saying Goodbye to Haworth
• For the first time in four years, IU will have a primary setter not named Camryn Haworth. It's expected that Serbian freshman Teodora Kričković gets some early run at the position for the Hoosiers. Haworth's legendary career featured a program record 213 aces and nearly 4,000 assists.
A Dynamic Duo
• Then-juniors Avry Tatum and Candela Alonso-Corcelles were a nightmare for opponents in 2024. When the two of them were on their game, IU was exceptionally lethal. Both players are now back for their senior seasons with reinforcements around them. If healthy, both should have massive years.
Growing the Game
• Record crowds, national television matches and growing support for the game highlighted the 2024 campaign. It's expected to keep going in 2025 with IU set to play a match at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis against Purdue and 12 home matches against quality teams at home.
2025 QUICK FACTS
Change in the Air
• IU lost nine players from last year's roster and replaced them with eight talented newcomers. The likely holdovers in the starting lineup include seniors Candela Alonso-Corcelles (OH), Avry Tatum (OPP) and Madi Sell (MB). Junior Ava Vickers (MB) is recovering from offseason surgery but should be ready to go by the start of the campaign.
Expect the Kids to Play Early
• Head coach Steve Aird hasn't been shy to play the freshmen from the jump. Don't be surprised to see three or four freshmen playing big points at the beginning of the year.
Big Ten Double Change
• Each team in the conference plays three of the league opponents twice during the 20-match slate. Last year the Hoosiers played Purdue, Ohio State and Illinois twice. This season, that will pivot to include Northwestern, Maryland and Purdue.
Playing the RPI Game
• While the names won't necessarily jump off the page, IU has built a balanced non-conference schedule in 2025. It features conference champions Western Kentucky, Western Michigan and Loyola (Chicago) from a season ago. IU will also play Miami (Fla.) for the third-straight year.
Time to Break Through
• It's been too long since IU has made the NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers last went in 2010 but will be eager to break that streak some 15-years later. With a strong chance at a high RPI and a talented roster, head coach Steve Aird will hope they crack the code on the postseason drought.
ELITE FRESHMAN CLASS IN TOWN
Top Class in Program History
• Head coach Steve Aird and his coaching staff put together one of the best groups of incoming players to ever step foot in Bloomington. Outside hitter Charlotte Vinson (No. 25 nationally) was the focal point of the class and is one of the top-three players to sign for IU in history.
Big Duo on the Pins
• Charlotte Vinson (Yorktown, Ind.) and Jaidyn Jager (Carlsbad, Calif.) are both consensus top-55 recruits in the class of 2025 by Prep Dig and Prep Volleyball. At some point, it's likely that both play a pivotal role for the Hoosiers. Each played at a high level in their final club season.
Versatile Middle
• Victoria Gray (Temperance, Mich.) quickly rose up the recruiting rankings in the fall of 2023 and became a prospect that IU wanted badly. She was an all-state basketball and volleyball player in Michigan and quickly rose into a top-110 national recruit by both major outlets.
Back Row Help
• The Hoosiers loaded up on defensive talent to help level out the passing in 2025. Avery Freeman, a Bloomington native, was the libero for one of the top clubs in the Midwest (Circle City) and grew up going to IU matches as a kid. Hannah Leftridge is considered an under-the-radar prospect at the libero position.
Serbian Setter
• Aird went back overseas to snag his setter in the class. Teodora Kričković has played with the Serbian youth teams at the U19 World Championships in 2023 and was on the U21 roster in 2025. She's expected to get an early nod at the position this year.
THE ROSTER WE BUILT
Adding a Transfer
• Jessica Smith joined the program this season as a graduate transfer from UCLA. She spent the last four years playing for its beach volleyball team. She twice made the NCAA All-Tournament team and is known as an elite passer.
• As an indoor player in high school, she was the 2020 Gatorade State Player of the Year in California. She can play as a pin hitter or as a back row passer. Either way, she will impact the Hoosiers in a positive manner.
Strong Transfer Success
• The Hoosiers have mostly built the roster through the high school model but transfers have been of great value over the last few years. Avry Tatum (Cincinnati), Kaley Rammelsberg (High Point) and Paula Cerame (Florida) are just a few examples of quality players to find new homes in Bloomington.
Starting at Home
• 14 of the 17 players on this year's roster began their collegiate careers in Bloomington. In today's era, that's wildly unusual. Each year, the Hoosiers have added one to two transfers to balance that out. Even with all that, Candela Alonso-Corcelles is currently the only four-year senior on the team.
Versatility
• The Hoosiers have three setters, four middle blockers, six pin hitters and four true defensive players on this year's team. There's depth at all positions and throughout the season there will be plenty of people contributing on the court.
The Indiana volleyball program officially kicks off its 2025 campaign with its first team practice on Wednesday (Aug. 6) afternoon at Wilkinson Hall. There are just three weeks until the Hoosiers begin the regular season on the road against Miami (Fla.) in Coral Gables.
A mix of veteran players and talented newcomers make up a 17-player squad for eighth-year head coach Steve Aird in Bloomington this season. Leading the way for IU is one of the Big Ten's most productive duos in senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles and senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum.
Among returning offensive duos in the Big Ten, no pair combined for more kills per set than Alonso-Corcelles and Tatum (7.20). At power four schools, where both players were on the team last season, only Stanford's Elia Rubin and Ipar Kurt (7.21) had more kills per set.
Two of IU's highest-ranked recruits in program history – outside hitters Charlotte Vinson and Jaidyn Jager – will help add depth to the crucial position this season. Along with veteran utility player Jessica Smith, the Hoosiers have a host of arms to score valuable points in the conference
Senior Madi Sell and Ava Vickers return in the middle and are aided by sophomore Ella Boersema and highly-regarded freshman Victoria Gray. With an extra year under the belt for all players, IU is expecting more offensive production from the group this season.
IU's incoming freshman class – which includes six American players and Serbian setter Teodora Krickovic – is the top-ranked group (No. 14 – Prep Dig) to ever make it to Bloomington. Defensive specialists Hannah Leftridge, Avery Freeman and Audrey Jackson will all see the court at some point early this season.
Below is a list of news and notes to know ahead of the 2025 volleyball campaign.
DATES TO KNOW
• Wednesday, August 6th: First Day of Practice
• Saturday, August 23rd: Cream and Crimson Scrimmage
• Friday, August 29th: Season Opener
• Thursday, September 4th: Home Opener
• Wednesday, September 24th: Big Ten Opener
• Saturday, September 27th: Big Ten Home Opener
• Thursday, October 16th: Gainbridge Fieldhouse Match, Monon Spike Match
• Saturday, November 22nd: Senior Night
PRESEASON BIG TEN NOTES
The Hoosiers were selected 11th in the Big Ten in the preseason coaches' poll. IU has met or exceeded preseason predictions in each of the last three years. IU was without a representative on the 18-player Big Ten preseason team but does return four starters from last year's team.
2024 IN REVIEW
Stacking Seasons
• The Hoosiers have put together a strong run of form over the last three seasons. Since 2022, IU has finished at .500 or better and has won 28 Big Ten matches in that stretch. Those 28 conference victories are the most in a three-year run since the turn of the century.
Home Environment
• IU has put together a 21-7 record at Wilkinson Hall over the last two years. All but one loss in that stretch was to a ranked opponent. The Hoosiers will have 12 games on their home court in 2025 and will hope to put together another strong year in Bloomington.
Saying Goodbye to Haworth
• For the first time in four years, IU will have a primary setter not named Camryn Haworth. It's expected that Serbian freshman Teodora Kričković gets some early run at the position for the Hoosiers. Haworth's legendary career featured a program record 213 aces and nearly 4,000 assists.
A Dynamic Duo
• Then-juniors Avry Tatum and Candela Alonso-Corcelles were a nightmare for opponents in 2024. When the two of them were on their game, IU was exceptionally lethal. Both players are now back for their senior seasons with reinforcements around them. If healthy, both should have massive years.
Growing the Game
• Record crowds, national television matches and growing support for the game highlighted the 2024 campaign. It's expected to keep going in 2025 with IU set to play a match at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis against Purdue and 12 home matches against quality teams at home.
2025 QUICK FACTS
Change in the Air
• IU lost nine players from last year's roster and replaced them with eight talented newcomers. The likely holdovers in the starting lineup include seniors Candela Alonso-Corcelles (OH), Avry Tatum (OPP) and Madi Sell (MB). Junior Ava Vickers (MB) is recovering from offseason surgery but should be ready to go by the start of the campaign.
Expect the Kids to Play Early
• Head coach Steve Aird hasn't been shy to play the freshmen from the jump. Don't be surprised to see three or four freshmen playing big points at the beginning of the year.
Big Ten Double Change
• Each team in the conference plays three of the league opponents twice during the 20-match slate. Last year the Hoosiers played Purdue, Ohio State and Illinois twice. This season, that will pivot to include Northwestern, Maryland and Purdue.
Playing the RPI Game
• While the names won't necessarily jump off the page, IU has built a balanced non-conference schedule in 2025. It features conference champions Western Kentucky, Western Michigan and Loyola (Chicago) from a season ago. IU will also play Miami (Fla.) for the third-straight year.
Time to Break Through
• It's been too long since IU has made the NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers last went in 2010 but will be eager to break that streak some 15-years later. With a strong chance at a high RPI and a talented roster, head coach Steve Aird will hope they crack the code on the postseason drought.
ELITE FRESHMAN CLASS IN TOWN
Top Class in Program History
• Head coach Steve Aird and his coaching staff put together one of the best groups of incoming players to ever step foot in Bloomington. Outside hitter Charlotte Vinson (No. 25 nationally) was the focal point of the class and is one of the top-three players to sign for IU in history.
Big Duo on the Pins
• Charlotte Vinson (Yorktown, Ind.) and Jaidyn Jager (Carlsbad, Calif.) are both consensus top-55 recruits in the class of 2025 by Prep Dig and Prep Volleyball. At some point, it's likely that both play a pivotal role for the Hoosiers. Each played at a high level in their final club season.
Versatile Middle
• Victoria Gray (Temperance, Mich.) quickly rose up the recruiting rankings in the fall of 2023 and became a prospect that IU wanted badly. She was an all-state basketball and volleyball player in Michigan and quickly rose into a top-110 national recruit by both major outlets.
Back Row Help
• The Hoosiers loaded up on defensive talent to help level out the passing in 2025. Avery Freeman, a Bloomington native, was the libero for one of the top clubs in the Midwest (Circle City) and grew up going to IU matches as a kid. Hannah Leftridge is considered an under-the-radar prospect at the libero position.
Serbian Setter
• Aird went back overseas to snag his setter in the class. Teodora Kričković has played with the Serbian youth teams at the U19 World Championships in 2023 and was on the U21 roster in 2025. She's expected to get an early nod at the position this year.
THE ROSTER WE BUILT
Adding a Transfer
• Jessica Smith joined the program this season as a graduate transfer from UCLA. She spent the last four years playing for its beach volleyball team. She twice made the NCAA All-Tournament team and is known as an elite passer.
• As an indoor player in high school, she was the 2020 Gatorade State Player of the Year in California. She can play as a pin hitter or as a back row passer. Either way, she will impact the Hoosiers in a positive manner.
Strong Transfer Success
• The Hoosiers have mostly built the roster through the high school model but transfers have been of great value over the last few years. Avry Tatum (Cincinnati), Kaley Rammelsberg (High Point) and Paula Cerame (Florida) are just a few examples of quality players to find new homes in Bloomington.
Starting at Home
• 14 of the 17 players on this year's roster began their collegiate careers in Bloomington. In today's era, that's wildly unusual. Each year, the Hoosiers have added one to two transfers to balance that out. Even with all that, Candela Alonso-Corcelles is currently the only four-year senior on the team.
Versatility
• The Hoosiers have three setters, four middle blockers, six pin hitters and four true defensive players on this year's team. There's depth at all positions and throughout the season there will be plenty of people contributing on the court.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
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