First Setback of the Season

Friday, September 19

Bowling Green, Ky.

8 p.m.

Indiana University

8-1,0-0Big Ten

(RV) Western Kentucky

8-3,0-0CUSA

Indiana

Western Ky.

9/19/2025 11:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – After winning the first eight matches of the season, the Indiana volleyball team (8-1, 0-0 B1G) experienced its first setback of the year on Friday (Sept. 19) evening against (RV) Western Kentucky. A spectacular crowd helped spark an inspired performance by the home team as it worked a clean sweep of the Hoosiers (25-23, 25-20, 28-26) at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green.

Service pressure from Western Kentucky kept IU scrambling throughout the night. The Hoosiers managed to hit .233 (39-15-103) in the contest but offensive flow was limited after the first set. Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum led the Hoosiers with 13 kills (.571 hitting percentage). IU was aced eight times and committed 10 unforced attacking errors in the defeat.

IU got double-digit dig efforts from freshman libero Audrey Jackson and senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles but WKU kept a number of balls alive via hustle plays. The Hilltoppers' freshman opposite Kaira Knox exploded for a career-high 22 kills before going down with an injury late in the third set. Junior middle blocker Izzy Van De Wiele chipped in 12 kills (.500 hitting percentage) for the hosts.

The Hoosiers had multiple set points in game three to try and extend the match but couldn't find the deciding point. A missed serve from sophomore opposite hitter Avery Daum and a blocking error from freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager put the final nails in the first defeat of the year. IU had leads in the red zone in both set one and set three but couldn't close either one out.

Head coach Steve Aird will get a chance to finish out the non-conference slate on a high note tomorrow (Sept. 20) morning in Bowling Green. IU will take on Bradley at 11 a.m. CT in the final contest before Big Ten play begins next week in Evanston.

How it Happened
• The two teams played a relatively close match throughout. There were 35 tie scores and 15 lead changes. The Hoosiers had late leads in set one and set three but couldn't find the closing points. IU played two deuce sets on Friday; the first time it's had any set decided by two points this season.

• WKU had a distinct advantage in the offensive battle. The hosts compiled 51 kills on a .269 hitting percentage. They also passed with effectiveness, only getting aced on four occasions. WKU's veteran setter Callie Bauer dished out 42 assists.

Top Hoosier Performers
#13 Tatum, Avry
13 kills, .571 hitting percentage, 2 blocks

#5 Jackson, Audrey
10 digs, 1 assist

Notes to Know
• Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum supplied 13 kills with a .571 hitting percentage. Her one attacking error came on a controversial in/out call that was upheld after a lengthy review. It was the 10th time in her career at Indiana that she's supplied at least 12 kills with a hitting percentage of .400 or better.

• Senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles had the 15th double-double of her career on Friday. She had 12 kills and matched a team high with 10 digs. She's had double-digit kills in seven of IU's nine matches this season. It's her 58th career match with 10-or-more kills.

• Freshman libero Audrey Jackson was back in double figures with 10 digs in three sets. It was her fifth time with a least 10 digs this season. On the year, she's alternated between her nine matches with being in double digits. Jackson's also had at least one assist in eight contests this year.