Thursday, September 4
Bloomington, Ind.
7 p.m.
Indiana University
vs
SEMO
Volleyball Central: Indiana Invitational
9/3/2025 9:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Head coach Steve Aird and the Indiana volleyball team begin the home slate this weekend (Sept. 3-4) as it hosts the annual Indiana Invitational at Wilkinson Hall. The Hoosiers will play once on Thursday (7 p.m.) and twice on Friday (10 a.m. and 7 p.m.) ahead of a home football game on Saturday (Sept. 5).
Led by three talented pin attackers, the Hoosiers found great success on opening weekend. They completed an improbable reverse sweep of (RV) Miami (Fla.) before a fairly comfortable sweep of projected Atlantic 10 runner-up VCU. It is IU's fifth-consecutive 2-0 start to a season.
Senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles led IU with 29 kills in two match. She became the 21st member of the 1,000-kill club at IU with her 16th kill on Friday (Aug. 29) evening against Miami (Fla.). Alonso-Corcelles got help on the left pin from freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager (24 kills, 3.00 per set).
Service pressure from the end line (1.88 aces per set) also led to an increased block (2.75 per set) from the front line of IU's defense. Middle blockers Victoria Gray (11.0) and Madi Sell (9.0) had a hand in 20 of the 22 blocks on the weekend. Jager, along with her strong offensive start, had a hand in 10 stuffs.
IU will look to continue its home dominance inside Wilkinson Hall. The Hoosiers have a .750 winning percentage (21-7) on their home floor over the last two seasons. First serve on Thursday evening against SEMO is at 7 p.m. on B1G+.
Gameday Info
vs. SEMO (Thursday, September 4th – 7 p.m.)
Live Video: bit.ly/47huk2u
Live Stats: bit.ly/45YsG3j
vs. Northern Kentucky (Friday, September 5th – 10 a.m.)
Live Video: bit.ly/4n9DmmI
Live Stats: bit.ly/47WdWEN
vs. Western Michigan (Friday, September 5th – 7 p.m.)
Live Video: bit.ly/3I1mgZj
Live Stats: bit.ly/464XgbT
Stat and Trends
• The Hoosiers put together consecutive matches of at least 10 blocks to open the season. Tough serving has forced opposing teams off the net and into IU's massive block. IU hasn't had three-straight matches with at least 10 blocks since last season (Sept. 14-22, 2024). It's been even longer (Aug. 27-Sept. 3, 2021) since IU has had at least 10 blocks in four-straight matches.
• IU was extremely efficient at the service line in the first two games of the season. A successful day from the end line usually results in an equal or greater number of aces to service errors. Against Miami (Fla.) (7-7) and VCU (8-5), the Hoosiers accomplished that. IU hasn't done it in more than two-straight games since doing it in six-straight contests in 2023 (Sept. 9-20).
• Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum and senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles have been outstanding together as teammates over the last three seasons. When they both have at least 10 kills in the same match, IU is 15-6 overall. They both had 10+ kills in the win over Miami (Fla.) on Aug. 29, 2025.
Notable
FIRST WEEKEND SUCCESS: Indiana used a dramatic comeback to pull a reverse sweep of Miami (Fla.) on the first day of the season. The Hoosiers were down multiple points in set three and four but stuck together to complete the first three-set comeback since 2015.
CANDE SHINES: Senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles became the 21st member of the 1,000-kill club at IU following her 20-kill output against Miami (Fla.) in the season opener. She hit .328 with 29 kills in two matches on the first weekend of the campaign. She now has seven 20-kill efforts during her career.
FRESHMEN FUN: IU has now started at least one true freshman in 11-straight season openers. The Hoosiers started four true freshmen in the season opener. Head coach Steve Aird went with a first-year player at setter, libero, middle blocker and outside hitter to beat Miami (Fla.) and VCU.
BIG BLOCK WINS: IU's service pressure allowed its massive block to set up and contribute from the jump this season. The Hoosiers averaged 2.75 blocks per set (22.0 total) in the first two games. Freshman middle blocker Victoria Gray led the way with 1.38 blocks per set to begin her career.
HOME STANDARD: IU has set the tone at Wilkinson Hall over the last two years. The Hoosiers are 21-7 on their home court since 2023 and a perfect 8-0 during the non-conference slate. With three matches in 36 hours this weekend, it will be up to the fan base to lead the charge in IU's search for a perfect 3-0 home start.
ACES AWAY: IU's variety of serves made it hard for opposing defenses to settle into serve-receive patterns. The Hoosiers averaged 1.88 aces per set. Freshman setter Teodora Kričković led the way with six aces. Graduate student outside hitter Jessica Smith had two important aces in the fifth set against Miami (Fla.)
AVRY KEEPS GOING: Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum is on a strong run of form dating back to her junior season. She's had at least 10 kills in six-straight matches and 11 of the last 13 overall games. She went errorless on 22 swings with 10 kills (.455) in IU's sweep of VCU on Saturday (Aug. 30).
RACK 'EM UP: The Hoosiers have racked up 619 service aces over the last four seasons. While IU won't possess the same level of jump servers as in previous years, it can still beat you in a number of ways from the end line. Expect the young Hoosiers to serve tough to different zones throughout the season.
Scouting the Opponent
SEMO (1-2, 0-0 OVC)
• The Red Hawks opened their season at 1-2 in a tournament at Mississippi State. After beating Grambling in the opener, they fell to both the hosts and North Alabama to close the weekend. Junior outside hitter Lucy Arndt led the way with 33 kills in three matches.
• SEMO has gone to a 6-2 offense this season with both setters providing 51 assists (5.10 per set) so far. Senior Alandry Below and sophomore Megan Holder have been good at finding connections with their hitters in the early going. The duo has helped the Red Hawks to a .223 hitting percentage.
• Junior libero Nina Schuberth is averaging 3.90 digs per set and anchors a defense that picks up 16.10 balls per set. On top of that, the Red Hawks have had a balanced block through three matches this season. SEMO was picked to win the OVC this season.
Northern Kentucky (1-2, 0-0 Horizon)
• The Norse struggled in the first weekend of the season, getting swept by Saint Louis and Southern Indiana. They salvaged a five-set win over Valparaiso to get their first victory of the season.
• Sophomore outside hitter Allison Risley has 33 kills to begin the season in three matches. She had 19 kills and 15 digs to help beat Valparaiso on opening weekend. Junior outside hitter Ava Hoying was Northern Kentucky's other left side attacker. She added 13 kills in the lone win last weekend.
• Sophomore hitter Katie Noschang had 11 blocks in the win over Valparaiso and leads the team with 19 total stuffs. Senior libero Lucy Cluxton anchors a very good back row. She is averaging 5.45 digs per set during the first three games of the campaign.
Western Michigan (1-2, 0-0 MAC)
• The Broncos have won consecutive MAC Tournament titles in 2023 and 2024. They'll need to reload this season after graduating a talented senior class – led by former setter Logan Case. Sophomore outside hitter Annalise Patchett did her best on opening weekend with 41 kills, 20 of those in a win over Oakland.
• Redshirt freshman setter Leah Richmond, an Indianapolis native, had two 40-assist efforts and two double-doubles in the first weekend of the season. She's averaging 11.18 assists per set and has distributed a balanced offense to her collection of hitters.
• Sophomore libero Elana Erickson had 33 digs in the win over Oakland over just four sets. She's averaging 5.73 digs per set. As a team, Western Michigan is providing 17.36 digs per set. Graduate student middle blocker Molly Brown has 12 total blocks on the year.
Inside the Series
SEMO
• The Hoosiers have a commanding hold on the series history against SEMO. IU won the last match in 2021 in a five-set match in Michigan. IU has never lost in four tries.
Northern Kentucky
• Most of IU's history against the Norse came when the program was in Division Two. The only meeting at this level was a sweep for the Hoosiers in 2016. NKU, however, holds a 5-4 advantage in the all-time series.
Western Michigan
• The two teams have played just once in the Steve Aird era, a 3-2 win for the Broncos. Western Michigan has won three of four meetings against IU during this century and leads the all-time series 8-5. Friday will be just the third meeting during the 25-point rally era (since 2008).
Led by three talented pin attackers, the Hoosiers found great success on opening weekend. They completed an improbable reverse sweep of (RV) Miami (Fla.) before a fairly comfortable sweep of projected Atlantic 10 runner-up VCU. It is IU's fifth-consecutive 2-0 start to a season.
Senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles led IU with 29 kills in two match. She became the 21st member of the 1,000-kill club at IU with her 16th kill on Friday (Aug. 29) evening against Miami (Fla.). Alonso-Corcelles got help on the left pin from freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager (24 kills, 3.00 per set).
Service pressure from the end line (1.88 aces per set) also led to an increased block (2.75 per set) from the front line of IU's defense. Middle blockers Victoria Gray (11.0) and Madi Sell (9.0) had a hand in 20 of the 22 blocks on the weekend. Jager, along with her strong offensive start, had a hand in 10 stuffs.
IU will look to continue its home dominance inside Wilkinson Hall. The Hoosiers have a .750 winning percentage (21-7) on their home floor over the last two seasons. First serve on Thursday evening against SEMO is at 7 p.m. on B1G+.
Gameday Info
vs. SEMO (Thursday, September 4th – 7 p.m.)
Live Video: bit.ly/47huk2u
Live Stats: bit.ly/45YsG3j
vs. Northern Kentucky (Friday, September 5th – 10 a.m.)
Live Video: bit.ly/4n9DmmI
Live Stats: bit.ly/47WdWEN
vs. Western Michigan (Friday, September 5th – 7 p.m.)
Live Video: bit.ly/3I1mgZj
Live Stats: bit.ly/464XgbT
Stat and Trends
• The Hoosiers put together consecutive matches of at least 10 blocks to open the season. Tough serving has forced opposing teams off the net and into IU's massive block. IU hasn't had three-straight matches with at least 10 blocks since last season (Sept. 14-22, 2024). It's been even longer (Aug. 27-Sept. 3, 2021) since IU has had at least 10 blocks in four-straight matches.
• IU was extremely efficient at the service line in the first two games of the season. A successful day from the end line usually results in an equal or greater number of aces to service errors. Against Miami (Fla.) (7-7) and VCU (8-5), the Hoosiers accomplished that. IU hasn't done it in more than two-straight games since doing it in six-straight contests in 2023 (Sept. 9-20).
• Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum and senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles have been outstanding together as teammates over the last three seasons. When they both have at least 10 kills in the same match, IU is 15-6 overall. They both had 10+ kills in the win over Miami (Fla.) on Aug. 29, 2025.
Notable
FIRST WEEKEND SUCCESS: Indiana used a dramatic comeback to pull a reverse sweep of Miami (Fla.) on the first day of the season. The Hoosiers were down multiple points in set three and four but stuck together to complete the first three-set comeback since 2015.
CANDE SHINES: Senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles became the 21st member of the 1,000-kill club at IU following her 20-kill output against Miami (Fla.) in the season opener. She hit .328 with 29 kills in two matches on the first weekend of the campaign. She now has seven 20-kill efforts during her career.
FRESHMEN FUN: IU has now started at least one true freshman in 11-straight season openers. The Hoosiers started four true freshmen in the season opener. Head coach Steve Aird went with a first-year player at setter, libero, middle blocker and outside hitter to beat Miami (Fla.) and VCU.
BIG BLOCK WINS: IU's service pressure allowed its massive block to set up and contribute from the jump this season. The Hoosiers averaged 2.75 blocks per set (22.0 total) in the first two games. Freshman middle blocker Victoria Gray led the way with 1.38 blocks per set to begin her career.
HOME STANDARD: IU has set the tone at Wilkinson Hall over the last two years. The Hoosiers are 21-7 on their home court since 2023 and a perfect 8-0 during the non-conference slate. With three matches in 36 hours this weekend, it will be up to the fan base to lead the charge in IU's search for a perfect 3-0 home start.
ACES AWAY: IU's variety of serves made it hard for opposing defenses to settle into serve-receive patterns. The Hoosiers averaged 1.88 aces per set. Freshman setter Teodora Kričković led the way with six aces. Graduate student outside hitter Jessica Smith had two important aces in the fifth set against Miami (Fla.)
AVRY KEEPS GOING: Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum is on a strong run of form dating back to her junior season. She's had at least 10 kills in six-straight matches and 11 of the last 13 overall games. She went errorless on 22 swings with 10 kills (.455) in IU's sweep of VCU on Saturday (Aug. 30).
RACK 'EM UP: The Hoosiers have racked up 619 service aces over the last four seasons. While IU won't possess the same level of jump servers as in previous years, it can still beat you in a number of ways from the end line. Expect the young Hoosiers to serve tough to different zones throughout the season.
Scouting the Opponent
SEMO (1-2, 0-0 OVC)
• The Red Hawks opened their season at 1-2 in a tournament at Mississippi State. After beating Grambling in the opener, they fell to both the hosts and North Alabama to close the weekend. Junior outside hitter Lucy Arndt led the way with 33 kills in three matches.
• SEMO has gone to a 6-2 offense this season with both setters providing 51 assists (5.10 per set) so far. Senior Alandry Below and sophomore Megan Holder have been good at finding connections with their hitters in the early going. The duo has helped the Red Hawks to a .223 hitting percentage.
• Junior libero Nina Schuberth is averaging 3.90 digs per set and anchors a defense that picks up 16.10 balls per set. On top of that, the Red Hawks have had a balanced block through three matches this season. SEMO was picked to win the OVC this season.
Northern Kentucky (1-2, 0-0 Horizon)
• The Norse struggled in the first weekend of the season, getting swept by Saint Louis and Southern Indiana. They salvaged a five-set win over Valparaiso to get their first victory of the season.
• Sophomore outside hitter Allison Risley has 33 kills to begin the season in three matches. She had 19 kills and 15 digs to help beat Valparaiso on opening weekend. Junior outside hitter Ava Hoying was Northern Kentucky's other left side attacker. She added 13 kills in the lone win last weekend.
• Sophomore hitter Katie Noschang had 11 blocks in the win over Valparaiso and leads the team with 19 total stuffs. Senior libero Lucy Cluxton anchors a very good back row. She is averaging 5.45 digs per set during the first three games of the campaign.
Western Michigan (1-2, 0-0 MAC)
• The Broncos have won consecutive MAC Tournament titles in 2023 and 2024. They'll need to reload this season after graduating a talented senior class – led by former setter Logan Case. Sophomore outside hitter Annalise Patchett did her best on opening weekend with 41 kills, 20 of those in a win over Oakland.
• Redshirt freshman setter Leah Richmond, an Indianapolis native, had two 40-assist efforts and two double-doubles in the first weekend of the season. She's averaging 11.18 assists per set and has distributed a balanced offense to her collection of hitters.
• Sophomore libero Elana Erickson had 33 digs in the win over Oakland over just four sets. She's averaging 5.73 digs per set. As a team, Western Michigan is providing 17.36 digs per set. Graduate student middle blocker Molly Brown has 12 total blocks on the year.
Inside the Series
SEMO
• The Hoosiers have a commanding hold on the series history against SEMO. IU won the last match in 2021 in a five-set match in Michigan. IU has never lost in four tries.
Northern Kentucky
• Most of IU's history against the Norse came when the program was in Division Two. The only meeting at this level was a sweep for the Hoosiers in 2016. NKU, however, holds a 5-4 advantage in the all-time series.
Western Michigan
• The two teams have played just once in the Steve Aird era, a 3-2 win for the Broncos. Western Michigan has won three of four meetings against IU during this century and leads the all-time series 8-5. Friday will be just the third meeting during the 25-point rally era (since 2008).
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
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