Indiana University Athletics
Thursday, October 8
Bloomington, Ind.
6:30 p.m.
Indiana University
vs
#1 Nebraska
Volleyball Central: Nebraska
10/5/2026 3:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – All eyes in the volleyball world will be on Wilkinson Hall on Thursday (Oct. 8) evening as undefeated and top-ranked Nebraska makes the trip to Bloomington for the first all top-15 home match in program history. The Hoosiers have never beaten the top-ranked team in the country.
After a tough five-set defeat at No. 6 Wisconsin last Thursday, the Indiana volleyball team (10-3, 3-1 B1G) responded with a win at Rutgers to close out the longest road trip of the entire season. IU hit .288 in the match with three players in double figures for kills. Second-year outside hitter Jaidyn Jager has had 10+ kills in 17 of her 24 career Big Ten matches.
When IU's block shines bright, it usually bodes well in the win column. The Hoosiers are 6-0 this season when recording at least nine blocks. Even on a great passing night from Rutgers, IU still held the hosts to a .233 hitting percentage. Three of IU's four Big Ten opponents this season have hit under .235 in the match.
With fifth-year opposite hitter Avry Tatum back in the mix, IU is getting closer to finding its best lineup. Third-year outside hitter Izzy Clark is getting closer to making her season debut after missing the first 13 games of the season through injury. She has the ability to play all six rotations when she's fully ready to go.
Both of IU's games this week will be broadcasted live on Big Ten Network. Chris Vosters (PxP) and Mac Podraza (Color) will be on the call for Thursday's contest at 6:30 p.m. The match is sold out to the general public with no tickets available at the door. IU will also play USC on Sunday (Oct. 11) this weekend.
Gameday Details
#1 Nebraska (15-0, 4-0 Big Ten) at #15 Indiana (10-3, 3-1 Big Ten)
Thursday, October 8th | 6:30 p.m. ET | Wilkinson Hall (Bloomington, Ind.)
TV: BTN (Chris Vosters and Mac Podraza)
Live Video | Live Stats
A Win Would
Nebraska:
- Be the 11th win of the season and the fifth at home
- Be the highest ranked win in program history
- Be the sixth top-10 win in program history
- Be the first win over the number one team in school history
Stats and Trends
• The Hoosiers are looking for the highest-ranked win in program history.
• IU has won 19 of its last 26 Big Ten games, dating back to the final week of the 2024 season.
• Head coach Steve Aird last guided his team to a top-10 win in November of 2022 (at #5 Ohio State).
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 less than 275 away as she continues to set the Hoosiers at an elite offensive rate. The Serbian is averaging 10.74 assists per set in her career at IU.
TALLYING WINS: Since the 2022 campaign (four-plus years), Indiana has racked up 87 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.
BIG ARM BACK: IU was boosted with the return of fifth-year opposite hitter Avry Tatum. In her three matches back with the Hoosiers, Tatum is averaging 3.17 kills per set on a .302 hitting percentage. She had a season-high 16 kills on the road at No. 6 Wisconsin at the beginning of the month.
FIRST YEAR FIRE: First-year outside hitter Sara Snowbarger was thrusted into action out of the gate and has more than held her own against stiff competition. She's got three matches with double-digit kills including a career high 11 at No. 6 Wisconsin last week. She's averaging 1.92 kills per set.
NEVER HAVE WE EVER: The Hoosiers are going for their first win over the top-ranked team in the country in program history. IU has five wins over top-10 programs in school history to date, all of them against Big Ten opponents. IU is 0-16 all-time against No. 1 teams - most recently a loss to Nebraska in 2025.
LOTS FROM LEFTY: Second-year libero Hannah Leftridge has flown under the radar on IU's team. She's had double-digit digs in six of the last seven games in her first season wearing the jersey full-time. She's upped her defensive output by nearly 2.50 digs per set in her second season of college volleyball.
GETTING OURS: Earning your own points is the key to winning matches in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers are third in the conference in points per set (17.80) during league play only. They are also third in the Big Ten during conference action in hitting percentage (.270) and assists per set (12.93)
DISHING THEM: Second-year setter Teodora Krickovic is 11th nationally and fifth in the Big Ten with 10.77 assists per set this year. She has dished out 517 helpers in 13 matches this year. She is second in the Big Ten (11.33 per set) if you include conference matches only.
STARTING OFF: The NCAA ran its first official RPI rankings of the season, the biggest baseline tool in postseason selections. IU is 16th in adjusted RPI and 17th in overall RPI through the first six weeks of the year. The Big Ten was far and away ranked the top conference in college volleyball.
BLOCK WAKES UP: IU's block came alive in a big way in the win at Rutgers. Fifth-year middle blocker Kiki Granberry is seventh in the Big Ten with 1.24 blocks per set. She is just 35 blocks away from reaching 400 for her illustrious college career. Her 51 rejections leads the team in 2026.
Scouting the Opponent
Nebraska (15-0, 4-0 Big Ten)
• Nebraska comes in off the heels of a pair of efficient sweeps over Penn State and Maryland. The undefeated Huskers have looked all the part of the number one team in the country this season. Outside hitter Harper Murray leads with 3.20 kills per set at a .252 hitting percentage.
• Middle blocker Andi Jackson is perhaps the premier player at her position in the country. She's averaging 3.94 points per set on 2.74 kills per set and 1.38 blocks per set. She's top five nationally with a .497 hitting percentage. Fellow middle blocker Manaia Ogbechie is also hitting above .400.
• Everything starts with setter Bergen Reilly, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year. She is averaging 10.82 assists per set. That number jumps above 11.00 during conference play. She's also digging 2.64 balls per set. Libero Olivia Mauch leads with 3.25 digs per set.
Inside the Series
Nebraska
• One of the premier brands in college volleyball, Nebraska has maintained a steady advantage in the all-time series. IU's only win (1978) came before the NCAA officially recognized women's volleyball.
• Nebraska has won every match since it joined the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have taken a set in two of the last three games in Bloomington. IU had a chance to go up 2-0 in a match in 2023 but Nebraska came roaring back to win in four sets.
After a tough five-set defeat at No. 6 Wisconsin last Thursday, the Indiana volleyball team (10-3, 3-1 B1G) responded with a win at Rutgers to close out the longest road trip of the entire season. IU hit .288 in the match with three players in double figures for kills. Second-year outside hitter Jaidyn Jager has had 10+ kills in 17 of her 24 career Big Ten matches.
When IU's block shines bright, it usually bodes well in the win column. The Hoosiers are 6-0 this season when recording at least nine blocks. Even on a great passing night from Rutgers, IU still held the hosts to a .233 hitting percentage. Three of IU's four Big Ten opponents this season have hit under .235 in the match.
With fifth-year opposite hitter Avry Tatum back in the mix, IU is getting closer to finding its best lineup. Third-year outside hitter Izzy Clark is getting closer to making her season debut after missing the first 13 games of the season through injury. She has the ability to play all six rotations when she's fully ready to go.
Both of IU's games this week will be broadcasted live on Big Ten Network. Chris Vosters (PxP) and Mac Podraza (Color) will be on the call for Thursday's contest at 6:30 p.m. The match is sold out to the general public with no tickets available at the door. IU will also play USC on Sunday (Oct. 11) this weekend.
Gameday Details
#1 Nebraska (15-0, 4-0 Big Ten) at #15 Indiana (10-3, 3-1 Big Ten)
Thursday, October 8th | 6:30 p.m. ET | Wilkinson Hall (Bloomington, Ind.)
TV: BTN (Chris Vosters and Mac Podraza)
Live Video | Live Stats
A Win Would
Nebraska:
- Be the 11th win of the season and the fifth at home
- Be the highest ranked win in program history
- Be the sixth top-10 win in program history
- Be the first win over the number one team in school history
Stats and Trends
• The Hoosiers are looking for the highest-ranked win in program history.
• IU has won 19 of its last 26 Big Ten games, dating back to the final week of the 2024 season.
• Head coach Steve Aird last guided his team to a top-10 win in November of 2022 (at #5 Ohio State).
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 less than 275 away as she continues to set the Hoosiers at an elite offensive rate. The Serbian is averaging 10.74 assists per set in her career at IU.
TALLYING WINS: Since the 2022 campaign (four-plus years), Indiana has racked up 87 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.
BIG ARM BACK: IU was boosted with the return of fifth-year opposite hitter Avry Tatum. In her three matches back with the Hoosiers, Tatum is averaging 3.17 kills per set on a .302 hitting percentage. She had a season-high 16 kills on the road at No. 6 Wisconsin at the beginning of the month.
FIRST YEAR FIRE: First-year outside hitter Sara Snowbarger was thrusted into action out of the gate and has more than held her own against stiff competition. She's got three matches with double-digit kills including a career high 11 at No. 6 Wisconsin last week. She's averaging 1.92 kills per set.
NEVER HAVE WE EVER: The Hoosiers are going for their first win over the top-ranked team in the country in program history. IU has five wins over top-10 programs in school history to date, all of them against Big Ten opponents. IU is 0-16 all-time against No. 1 teams - most recently a loss to Nebraska in 2025.
LOTS FROM LEFTY: Second-year libero Hannah Leftridge has flown under the radar on IU's team. She's had double-digit digs in six of the last seven games in her first season wearing the jersey full-time. She's upped her defensive output by nearly 2.50 digs per set in her second season of college volleyball.
GETTING OURS: Earning your own points is the key to winning matches in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers are third in the conference in points per set (17.80) during league play only. They are also third in the Big Ten during conference action in hitting percentage (.270) and assists per set (12.93)
DISHING THEM: Second-year setter Teodora Krickovic is 11th nationally and fifth in the Big Ten with 10.77 assists per set this year. She has dished out 517 helpers in 13 matches this year. She is second in the Big Ten (11.33 per set) if you include conference matches only.
STARTING OFF: The NCAA ran its first official RPI rankings of the season, the biggest baseline tool in postseason selections. IU is 16th in adjusted RPI and 17th in overall RPI through the first six weeks of the year. The Big Ten was far and away ranked the top conference in college volleyball.
BLOCK WAKES UP: IU's block came alive in a big way in the win at Rutgers. Fifth-year middle blocker Kiki Granberry is seventh in the Big Ten with 1.24 blocks per set. She is just 35 blocks away from reaching 400 for her illustrious college career. Her 51 rejections leads the team in 2026.
Scouting the Opponent
Nebraska (15-0, 4-0 Big Ten)
• Nebraska comes in off the heels of a pair of efficient sweeps over Penn State and Maryland. The undefeated Huskers have looked all the part of the number one team in the country this season. Outside hitter Harper Murray leads with 3.20 kills per set at a .252 hitting percentage.
• Middle blocker Andi Jackson is perhaps the premier player at her position in the country. She's averaging 3.94 points per set on 2.74 kills per set and 1.38 blocks per set. She's top five nationally with a .497 hitting percentage. Fellow middle blocker Manaia Ogbechie is also hitting above .400.
• Everything starts with setter Bergen Reilly, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year. She is averaging 10.82 assists per set. That number jumps above 11.00 during conference play. She's also digging 2.64 balls per set. Libero Olivia Mauch leads with 3.25 digs per set.
Inside the Series
Nebraska
• One of the premier brands in college volleyball, Nebraska has maintained a steady advantage in the all-time series. IU's only win (1978) came before the NCAA officially recognized women's volleyball.
• Nebraska has won every match since it joined the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have taken a set in two of the last three games in Bloomington. IU had a chance to go up 2-0 in a match in 2023 but Nebraska came roaring back to win in four sets.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
/ Women's VolleyballSunday, October 04
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Sunday, September 27
Thursday, September 24