Indiana University Athletics
Friday, October 30
East Lansing, Mich.
6 p.m.
Indiana University
at
#25 Michigan State
10/26/2026 8:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A grueling run through the month of October will end this weekend with a pair of contests at No. 25 Michigan State (Oct. 30) and Michigan (Oct. 31). Following these matches, IU will have played seven of 10 contests on the road during the month. That includes trips to the furthest teams east (Rutgers) and west (Oregon) in the entire conference.
Through 10 games of Big Ten play, the Indiana volleyball team (12-7, 5-5 Big Ten) finds itself firmly in the middle of the conference standings. The final seven games of the regular season will be all about positioning as the inaugural Big Ten Tournament inches closer. IU will get four of its final seven games at Wilkinson Hall, beginning on November 6th against Iowa.
IU will need its block to continue playing at a high level over the final four weeks of the regular season. In conference play this season, the Hoosiers are third (2.64 blocks per set) in net defense. That includes fifth-year middle blocker Kiki Granberry (1.41 bps) and third-year middle blocker Ella Boersema (1.00 bps) who have become dominant blocking forces. Fifth-year opposite hitter Avry Tatum (32 blocks) has added to a physical team.
Second-year middle blocker Victoria Gray has been a spark offensively for IU during conference play. She's among the top hitters in the league with 1.74 kills per set at a .474 hitting percentage. Tatum (3.00 kills per set) and second-year outside hitter Jaidyn Jager (3.42 kills per set in Big Ten) are a formidable duo on the pins. As a team, IU is hitting .256 in Big Ten play this year.
Friday's game at Michigan State is set for a 6 p.m. first serve. It's IU's final national television game of the regular season. The Hoosiers will move over to Ann Arbor on Saturday to take on Michigan at 7 p.m. on B1G+. IU is 10-5 on the road in Big Ten play over the last two seasons.
Gameday Details
#19 Indiana (12-7, 5-5 Big Ten) at #25 Michigan State (17-3, 7-3 Big Ten)
Friday, October 30th | 6 p.m. ET | Breslin Center (East Lansing, Mich.)
TV: Big Ten Network (Michelle McMahon and Audrey Flaugh)
Live Video | Live Stats
#19 Indiana (12-7, 5-5 Big Ten) at Michigan (13-8, 4-6 Big Ten)
Saturday, October 31st | 7 p.m. ET | Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
TV: B1G+
Live Video | Live Stats
A Win Would
Michigan State:
- Be revenge for a three-set loss in East Lansing last season
- Be the third ranked win of the year
Michigan:
- Be the sixth-straight win against the Wolverines
- Be the fourth-straight win in Ann Arbor
Both:
- Improve IU's record to 12-5 in Big Ten road games the last two years
- Be the 12th ranked win of the Steve Aird era
Stats and Trends
• IU will play its last multi-game road trip of the regular season during its time in Michigan.
• The Hoosiers will play seven of its 10 October matches on the road.
• Since 2022, IU is 9-1 against the two Michigan schools. It is 5-0 against the Wolverines in that stretch.
Notable
ALL INVOLVED: Second-year setter Teodora Krickovic is closing in on becoming the 12th player in program history to reach 2,000 career assists. She's 62 away as she continues to set the Hoosiers at an elite offensive rate. The Serbian is averaging 10.65 assists per set in her career at IU.
TALLYING WINS: Since the 2022 campaign (four-plus years), Indiana has racked up 89 wins under head coach Steve Aird. That includes at least 15 wins in each full season during that stretch. IU will be looking to reach that plateau again for the fifth-straight year in 2026.
TOUGH TESTS: IU has, or will play, 13 of the teams in the top 30 of this week's NCAA RPI rankings. It has been a stiff test for the Hoosiers this year. On that note, IU has quality wins over Washington (14), UCLA (17) and Texas A&M (25) that has kept the team at No. 22 in the RPI ratings.
STEADY AS IT COMES: Second-year outside hitter Jaidyn Jager reached double-digit kills in a pair of matches against Ohio State and Penn State last week. She's had at least 10 kills in 22 of her 30 career Big Ten matches. That includes eight of IU's 10 conference games this season.
BIG BLOCKS: During Big Ten action, IU has been the third best blocking team (2.64 blocks per set) in the entire conference. The Hoosiers went on a run of three-straight Big Ten games with double-digit blocks (Oct. 16-23) last week, the first time that's happened since the 2018 campaign.
VIC STEPS UP: Second-year middle blocker Victoria Gray has been on a tear in Big Ten play this year. She's3rd third in the league in hitting percentage (.474) in conference games only. That includes a nine-kill effort against Ohio State (zero errors) last week. She returns to her home state of Michigan this week for a pair of games.
RANKED WINS: Head coach Steve Aird and IU have a pair of ranked victories this year. He has now guided the program to 11 wins against AVCA opponents. If he is able to take down Michigan State this week, he will match the program record for ranked wins (12) by a head coach.
HITTING HARD: The Hoosiers are attacking at a .259 clip this season as a team, a top 10 mark in the Big Ten on the year. That mark currently ranks second in program history in a single season, only behind last year's school record mark of .281. IU has hit above .300 on seven occasions this year.
Scouting the Opponent
Michigan State (17-3, 7-3 Big Ten)
• After a breakout season in Kristen Kelsay's first year, Michigan State is firmly setup for a return to the NCAA Tournament. Setter Malayah Long is averaging 10.34 assists per set and running a potent (.291) and balanced offense. Outside hitter Alanna Bankston's 3.70 kills per set lead the team.
• Middle blockers Zora Hardison (.399 hitting percentage) and Carmen Waye (.426 hitting percentage) are lethal out of the middle when the Spartans pass at a high level. On top of that, Michigan State's 144 service aces are amongst the top in the league. The Spartans average 2.58 blocks per set at the net.
Michigan (13-8, 4-6 Big Ten)
• The Wolverines are coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance last season and have the path to get back there for a second-straight season. Michigan runs a 6-2 offense with setters Morgan Burke and Camille Edwards sharing the duties out of the back row. Outside hitter Ella Demetrician is the top offensive option at 4.14 kills per set.
• Opposite hitter Cymarah Gordon has taken a massive jump forward with 3.30 kills per set on a .310 hitting percentage. When in system, middle blocker Jenna Hanes offers up 1.39 kills per set and a .422 hitting percentage. Libero Meredith Martin averages 4.03 digs per set.
Inside the Series
Michigan State
• The Spartans hold a commanding 54-35 edge in the all-time series including a 32-9 mark in East Lansing. IU has made up some ground in the last five years, having won five of the last six games.
• These two teams have only played nine times under head coach Steve Aird, tied for the lowest number of matchups of any Big Ten (Minnesota) program (not including the west coast schools.
Michigan
• IU leads the all-time series with a 47-43-1 mark, one of three Big Ten legacy schools (Iowa, Northwestern) that the program has a winning mark against. The Hoosiers have won five-straight games since 2022, including all four against current head coach Erin Virtue. IU has won three-straight matchups in Ann Arbor (2022, 2023 and 2025).
Through 10 games of Big Ten play, the Indiana volleyball team (12-7, 5-5 Big Ten) finds itself firmly in the middle of the conference standings. The final seven games of the regular season will be all about positioning as the inaugural Big Ten Tournament inches closer. IU will get four of its final seven games at Wilkinson Hall, beginning on November 6th against Iowa.
IU will need its block to continue playing at a high level over the final four weeks of the regular season. In conference play this season, the Hoosiers are third (2.64 blocks per set) in net defense. That includes fifth-year middle blocker Kiki Granberry (1.41 bps) and third-year middle blocker Ella Boersema (1.00 bps) who have become dominant blocking forces. Fifth-year opposite hitter Avry Tatum (32 blocks) has added to a physical team.
Second-year middle blocker Victoria Gray has been a spark offensively for IU during conference play. She's among the top hitters in the league with 1.74 kills per set at a .474 hitting percentage. Tatum (3.00 kills per set) and second-year outside hitter Jaidyn Jager (3.42 kills per set in Big Ten) are a formidable duo on the pins. As a team, IU is hitting .256 in Big Ten play this year.
Friday's game at Michigan State is set for a 6 p.m. first serve. It's IU's final national television game of the regular season. The Hoosiers will move over to Ann Arbor on Saturday to take on Michigan at 7 p.m. on B1G+. IU is 10-5 on the road in Big Ten play over the last two seasons.
Gameday Details
#19 Indiana (12-7, 5-5 Big Ten) at #25 Michigan State (17-3, 7-3 Big Ten)
Friday, October 30th | 6 p.m. ET | Breslin Center (East Lansing, Mich.)
TV: Big Ten Network (Michelle McMahon and Audrey Flaugh)
Live Video | Live Stats
#19 Indiana (12-7, 5-5 Big Ten) at Michigan (13-8, 4-6 Big Ten)
Saturday, October 31st | 7 p.m. ET | Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
TV: B1G+
Live Video | Live Stats
A Win Would
Michigan State:
- Be revenge for a three-set loss in East Lansing last season
- Be the third ranked win of the year
Michigan:
- Be the sixth-straight win against the Wolverines
- Be the fourth-straight win in Ann Arbor
Both:
- Improve IU's record to 12-5 in Big Ten road games the last two years
- Be the 12th ranked win of the Steve Aird era
Stats and Trends
• IU will play its last multi-game road trip of the regular season during its time in Michigan.
• The Hoosiers will play seven of its 10 October matches on the road.
• Since 2022, IU is 9-1 against the two Michigan schools. It is 5-0 against the Wolverines in that stretch.
Notable
ALL INVOLVED: Second-year setter Teodora Krickovic is closing in on becoming the 12th player in program history to reach 2,000 career assists. She's 62 away as she continues to set the Hoosiers at an elite offensive rate. The Serbian is averaging 10.65 assists per set in her career at IU.
TALLYING WINS: Since the 2022 campaign (four-plus years), Indiana has racked up 89 wins under head coach Steve Aird. That includes at least 15 wins in each full season during that stretch. IU will be looking to reach that plateau again for the fifth-straight year in 2026.
TOUGH TESTS: IU has, or will play, 13 of the teams in the top 30 of this week's NCAA RPI rankings. It has been a stiff test for the Hoosiers this year. On that note, IU has quality wins over Washington (14), UCLA (17) and Texas A&M (25) that has kept the team at No. 22 in the RPI ratings.
STEADY AS IT COMES: Second-year outside hitter Jaidyn Jager reached double-digit kills in a pair of matches against Ohio State and Penn State last week. She's had at least 10 kills in 22 of her 30 career Big Ten matches. That includes eight of IU's 10 conference games this season.
BIG BLOCKS: During Big Ten action, IU has been the third best blocking team (2.64 blocks per set) in the entire conference. The Hoosiers went on a run of three-straight Big Ten games with double-digit blocks (Oct. 16-23) last week, the first time that's happened since the 2018 campaign.
VIC STEPS UP: Second-year middle blocker Victoria Gray has been on a tear in Big Ten play this year. She's
RANKED WINS: Head coach Steve Aird and IU have a pair of ranked victories this year. He has now guided the program to 11 wins against AVCA opponents. If he is able to take down Michigan State this week, he will match the program record for ranked wins (12) by a head coach.
HITTING HARD: The Hoosiers are attacking at a .259 clip this season as a team, a top 10 mark in the Big Ten on the year. That mark currently ranks second in program history in a single season, only behind last year's school record mark of .281. IU has hit above .300 on seven occasions this year.
Scouting the Opponent
Michigan State (17-3, 7-3 Big Ten)
• After a breakout season in Kristen Kelsay's first year, Michigan State is firmly setup for a return to the NCAA Tournament. Setter Malayah Long is averaging 10.34 assists per set and running a potent (.291) and balanced offense. Outside hitter Alanna Bankston's 3.70 kills per set lead the team.
• Middle blockers Zora Hardison (.399 hitting percentage) and Carmen Waye (.426 hitting percentage) are lethal out of the middle when the Spartans pass at a high level. On top of that, Michigan State's 144 service aces are amongst the top in the league. The Spartans average 2.58 blocks per set at the net.
Michigan (13-8, 4-6 Big Ten)
• The Wolverines are coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance last season and have the path to get back there for a second-straight season. Michigan runs a 6-2 offense with setters Morgan Burke and Camille Edwards sharing the duties out of the back row. Outside hitter Ella Demetrician is the top offensive option at 4.14 kills per set.
• Opposite hitter Cymarah Gordon has taken a massive jump forward with 3.30 kills per set on a .310 hitting percentage. When in system, middle blocker Jenna Hanes offers up 1.39 kills per set and a .422 hitting percentage. Libero Meredith Martin averages 4.03 digs per set.
Inside the Series
Michigan State
• The Spartans hold a commanding 54-35 edge in the all-time series including a 32-9 mark in East Lansing. IU has made up some ground in the last five years, having won five of the last six games.
• These two teams have only played nine times under head coach Steve Aird, tied for the lowest number of matchups of any Big Ten (Minnesota) program (not including the west coast schools.
Michigan
• IU leads the all-time series with a 47-43-1 mark, one of three Big Ten legacy schools (Iowa, Northwestern) that the program has a winning mark against. The Hoosiers have won five-straight games since 2022, including all four against current head coach Erin Virtue. IU has won three-straight matchups in Ann Arbor (2022, 2023 and 2025).
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
/ Women's VolleyballSunday, October 25
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