Indiana University Athletics
Volleyball to Embark on Foreign Tour
5/21/2026 3:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana volleyball program is set to embark on a near two-week foreign tour on Saturday (May 23) afternoon. The Hoosiers will fly from O'Hare airport in Chicago en route to the first stop of the tour in Istanbul. The three countries on the tour (Türkiye, Spain and Portugal) will immerse IU's student athletes in the history, sport and culture of the area.
Head coach Steve Aird's group is set to play at least six matches along the way, beginning with three in Istanbul. Türkiye is known for having some of the best women's volleyball in the world and is coming off a silver medal in last summer's FIVB Women's World Championships. The highlighted match in Istanbul will come against a junior team of Fenerbahçe, one of the best clubs in the world.
After four days in Istanbul, IU's team will fly to Madrid for a series of days in the nation's capital. The Hoosiers will get to see the hometown of former outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles who will meet the team there. A match against the Spanish Junior National Team in Soria, Spain will close out the month of May. IU will wrap up the trip in Lisbon with a chance to play more volleyball and go sightseeing.
Incoming freshman defensive specialist Ellie Hepler will join the rest of the current roster to play on the trip abroad. Graduating seniors Madi Sell, Jessica Smith and Avry Tatum will get the chance to travel with the program on the foreign tour. IU is set to return to the states on June 4th after stops in three countries.
Tentative Match Schedule (all matches subject to change)
May 25th vs. Vakifbank (Istanbul, Türkiye)
May 26th vs. Ezcacibasi Team TBC (Istanbul, Türkiye)
May 27th vs. Fenerbahçe Junior Team (Istanbul, Türkiye)
May 29th vs. Alcobendas (Madrid, Spain)
May 31st vs. Spanish Junior National Team (Soria, Spain)
June 2nd vs. TBD (Lisbon, Portugal)
Head coach Steve Aird's group is set to play at least six matches along the way, beginning with three in Istanbul. Türkiye is known for having some of the best women's volleyball in the world and is coming off a silver medal in last summer's FIVB Women's World Championships. The highlighted match in Istanbul will come against a junior team of Fenerbahçe, one of the best clubs in the world.
After four days in Istanbul, IU's team will fly to Madrid for a series of days in the nation's capital. The Hoosiers will get to see the hometown of former outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles who will meet the team there. A match against the Spanish Junior National Team in Soria, Spain will close out the month of May. IU will wrap up the trip in Lisbon with a chance to play more volleyball and go sightseeing.
Incoming freshman defensive specialist Ellie Hepler will join the rest of the current roster to play on the trip abroad. Graduating seniors Madi Sell, Jessica Smith and Avry Tatum will get the chance to travel with the program on the foreign tour. IU is set to return to the states on June 4th after stops in three countries.
Tentative Match Schedule (all matches subject to change)
May 25th vs. Vakifbank (Istanbul, Türkiye)
May 26th vs. Ezcacibasi Team TBC (Istanbul, Türkiye)
May 27th vs. Fenerbahçe Junior Team (Istanbul, Türkiye)
May 29th vs. Alcobendas (Madrid, Spain)
May 31st vs. Spanish Junior National Team (Soria, Spain)
June 2nd vs. TBD (Lisbon, Portugal)
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
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