Indiana University Athletics
11/13/2026 1:56:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The final two matches of the regular season will prove pivotal as the Indiana volleyball team (14-10, 7-8 Big Ten) looks to create some more breathing room from the NCAA Tournament bubble. IU will have the chance to defend its home court and secure back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in over 20 seasons. Tuesday's match against Purdue is both Senior Night and the battle for the Monon Spike.
IU has played one of the most difficult schedules in the country. It is one of two Big Ten programs (Wisconsin) with a strength of schedule in the top 10 nationally. With one win in the next two games, IU would get to at least eight Big Ten wins for the fifth-straight year; something it hasn't done since the late 1980's. A win over Purdue on Tuesday evening would also give the program four ranked wins for the second-straight season.
If the Hoosiers want to make a second-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament, it will start with beating Northwestern on Sunday afternoon. IU's offense has hit under .200 in each of the last two matches but third-year outside hitter Izzy Clark is averaging 3.86 kills per set in those contests. That includes a 17-kill effort at Minnesota on Wednesday. Seven different players have multiple double-digit kill matches this year.
IU's big block has been at its best over the last month. Fifth-year middle blocker Kiki Granberry has offered a lively presence at the net with 1.33 blocks per set (1.46 in conference play). Her and fellow departing athletes Ava Vickers, Luca Fickell and Avry Tatum will be honored on Tuesday night for Senior Ceremonies. Sunday's match against Northwestern will serve at Noon. Tuesday's match against Purdue is set for 7 p.m.
Gameday Details
Northwestern (8-18, 1-14 Big Ten) at #22 Indiana (14-10, 7-8 Big Ten)
Sunday, November 15th | Noon ET | Wilkinson Hall (Bloomington, Ind.)
TV: B1G+
Live Video | Live Stats
#13 Purdue (17-7, 10-5 Big Ten) at #22 Indiana (14-10, 7-8 Big Ten)
Tuesday, November 17th | 7 p.m. ET | Wilkinson Hall (Bloomington, Ind.)
TV: B1G+
Live Video | Live Stats
A Win Would
Northwestern:
- Secure back-to-back winning seasons for first time since 1999-2000
- Get IU to eight conference wins for fifth-straight season
Purdue:
- Give Steve Aird the most ranked wins by a coach in program history
- Be the first win in the Monon Spike Game since 2023
Both:
- Give IU 16 wins to end the regular season
- Most likely secure a first round bye in the Big Ten Tournament
What's at Stake for Indiana?
• IU has already booked a spot in this year's Big Ten Tournament and is now playing for seeding.
• After Thursday's games, IU is likely to slot into the first day of action at the Fishers Event Center.
• One win over the final two games would ensure back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1999-2000.
• The Hoosiers are 32nd in the latest RPI with three wins over current top-25 programs.
Notable
TALLYING WINS: Since the 2022 campaign (four-plus years), Indiana has racked up 91 wins under head coach Steve Aird. That includes at least 15 wins in each full season during that stretch. IU can reach that mark for the fifth-straight year in 2026 with one more win in the regular season.
WINNING BIG: On the same note, one more win in the regular season would ensure the Hoosiers back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in over 20 years. IU has had just eight seasons above .500 since the turn of the century but hasn't done it in back-to-back campaigns since 1999-2000.
STEADY AS IT COMES: Fifth-year middle blocker Kiki Granberry reached 100 blocks on the season with a nine-block performance against Minnesota on Wednesday. She's averaging 1.33 blocks per set this year, good for second in the Big Ten. Granberry is one of three conference players to hit the century mark as of November 12th.
BIG BLOCKS: On the same note, it's been a brilliant blocking season for the Hoosiers this year. IU leads the conference with 2.78 blocks per set (161.0) total in Big Ten matches only this year. IU has had 12 blocks in four of the last five contests and seven times total on the year.
DO IT ALL: Second-year outside hitter Jaidyn Jager has been a well-rounded six-rotation player for the Hoosiers this year. On top of leading the team with 313 kills (3.56 per set), she also has 204 digs, 47 blocks and 24 aces. She is top 10 in the Big Ten in points per set (4.18)
FIRING IN FRONT: Second-year middle blocker Victoria Gray came to play in IU's tight loss at Minnesota. She had 11 kills and 0 attacking errors while hitting at .647 clip. It's the fourth time in her career that she's had double-digit kills and the second time (at Purdue, 2025) in a Big Ten road match.
SENIOR SENDOFF: IU will honor four players at Tuesday's game for their contributions to the program. Fourth-year middle blocker Ava Vickers, fourth-year setter Luca Fickell and fifth-year middle blocker Kiki Granberry will all go through Senior Day festivities. Fifth-year opposite hitter Avry Tatum will be recognized as well.
BEAT THE BEST: Head coach Steve Aird can set a program record with his 13th ranked victory with a win over Purdue on Tuesday. He's guided the Hoosiers to seven victories against teams in the AVCA poll since 2025, the most in a two-year span in program history.
Scouting the Opponent
Northwestern (8-18, 1-14 Big Ten)
• The Wildcats got their first Big Ten win of the year with an efficient sweep of Iowa on Thursday. Outside hitters Mara Stiglic (3.40 kills per set) and Isabella Bullington (3.23 kills per set) carry the offensive load for Northwestern. Opposite hitter Campbell Paris turns in 2.66 kills per set as well.
• Setter Ella Stiernagle was tasked with running the offense in her first year on campus. She has provided 9.48 assists per set. Northwestern's defense is led by a fellow newcomer in middle blocker Maya Stillwell (0.83 blocks per set).
Purdue (17-7, 10-5 Big Ten)
• Purdue is as consistent as it comes in college volleyball. Once again, Dave Shondell has a team with deep postseason aspirations. Taylor Anderson is averaging 10.89 assists per set and running an offense that hits .263 on the year. Top pin attackers Addy Tindall (3.83 kills per set) and Grace Heaney (3.01 kills per set) are her top offensive choices.
• Libero Ryan McAleer runs the back row with 3.76 digs per set and is one of the top passers in the country. Middle blocker Dior Charles anchors a net defense that averages 2.57 blocks per set. She also contributes 1.39 kills per set for the Boilermakers.
Inside the Series
Northwestern
• The Hoosiers have opened up a lead in the all-time series after winning three of the last four matches. IU opened up Big Ten play with a tough road victory at Northwestern last year, sparking a 14-win conference campaign. IU has won three-straight matches in Bloomington
Purdue
• Head coach Dave Shondell has made Purdue one of the toughest programs in the country in nearly 25 years as the head coach. He's dominated IU over the years. The Hoosiers broke a long streak in 2023 but have since lost five-straight matches. There's been just one sweep in the all-time series in the last nine contests.
IU has played one of the most difficult schedules in the country. It is one of two Big Ten programs (Wisconsin) with a strength of schedule in the top 10 nationally. With one win in the next two games, IU would get to at least eight Big Ten wins for the fifth-straight year; something it hasn't done since the late 1980's. A win over Purdue on Tuesday evening would also give the program four ranked wins for the second-straight season.
If the Hoosiers want to make a second-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament, it will start with beating Northwestern on Sunday afternoon. IU's offense has hit under .200 in each of the last two matches but third-year outside hitter Izzy Clark is averaging 3.86 kills per set in those contests. That includes a 17-kill effort at Minnesota on Wednesday. Seven different players have multiple double-digit kill matches this year.
IU's big block has been at its best over the last month. Fifth-year middle blocker Kiki Granberry has offered a lively presence at the net with 1.33 blocks per set (1.46 in conference play). Her and fellow departing athletes Ava Vickers, Luca Fickell and Avry Tatum will be honored on Tuesday night for Senior Ceremonies. Sunday's match against Northwestern will serve at Noon. Tuesday's match against Purdue is set for 7 p.m.
Gameday Details
Northwestern (8-18, 1-14 Big Ten) at #22 Indiana (14-10, 7-8 Big Ten)
Sunday, November 15th | Noon ET | Wilkinson Hall (Bloomington, Ind.)
TV: B1G+
Live Video | Live Stats
#13 Purdue (17-7, 10-5 Big Ten) at #22 Indiana (14-10, 7-8 Big Ten)
Tuesday, November 17th | 7 p.m. ET | Wilkinson Hall (Bloomington, Ind.)
TV: B1G+
Live Video | Live Stats
A Win Would
Northwestern:
- Secure back-to-back winning seasons for first time since 1999-2000
- Get IU to eight conference wins for fifth-straight season
Purdue:
- Give Steve Aird the most ranked wins by a coach in program history
- Be the first win in the Monon Spike Game since 2023
Both:
- Give IU 16 wins to end the regular season
- Most likely secure a first round bye in the Big Ten Tournament
What's at Stake for Indiana?
• IU has already booked a spot in this year's Big Ten Tournament and is now playing for seeding.
• After Thursday's games, IU is likely to slot into the first day of action at the Fishers Event Center.
• One win over the final two games would ensure back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1999-2000.
• The Hoosiers are 32nd in the latest RPI with three wins over current top-25 programs.
Notable
TALLYING WINS: Since the 2022 campaign (four-plus years), Indiana has racked up 91 wins under head coach Steve Aird. That includes at least 15 wins in each full season during that stretch. IU can reach that mark for the fifth-straight year in 2026 with one more win in the regular season.
WINNING BIG: On the same note, one more win in the regular season would ensure the Hoosiers back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in over 20 years. IU has had just eight seasons above .500 since the turn of the century but hasn't done it in back-to-back campaigns since 1999-2000.
STEADY AS IT COMES: Fifth-year middle blocker Kiki Granberry reached 100 blocks on the season with a nine-block performance against Minnesota on Wednesday. She's averaging 1.33 blocks per set this year, good for second in the Big Ten. Granberry is one of three conference players to hit the century mark as of November 12th.
BIG BLOCKS: On the same note, it's been a brilliant blocking season for the Hoosiers this year. IU leads the conference with 2.78 blocks per set (161.0) total in Big Ten matches only this year. IU has had 12 blocks in four of the last five contests and seven times total on the year.
DO IT ALL: Second-year outside hitter Jaidyn Jager has been a well-rounded six-rotation player for the Hoosiers this year. On top of leading the team with 313 kills (3.56 per set), she also has 204 digs, 47 blocks and 24 aces. She is top 10 in the Big Ten in points per set (4.18)
FIRING IN FRONT: Second-year middle blocker Victoria Gray came to play in IU's tight loss at Minnesota. She had 11 kills and 0 attacking errors while hitting at .647 clip. It's the fourth time in her career that she's had double-digit kills and the second time (at Purdue, 2025) in a Big Ten road match.
SENIOR SENDOFF: IU will honor four players at Tuesday's game for their contributions to the program. Fourth-year middle blocker Ava Vickers, fourth-year setter Luca Fickell and fifth-year middle blocker Kiki Granberry will all go through Senior Day festivities. Fifth-year opposite hitter Avry Tatum will be recognized as well.
BEAT THE BEST: Head coach Steve Aird can set a program record with his 13th ranked victory with a win over Purdue on Tuesday. He's guided the Hoosiers to seven victories against teams in the AVCA poll since 2025, the most in a two-year span in program history.
Scouting the Opponent
Northwestern (8-18, 1-14 Big Ten)
• The Wildcats got their first Big Ten win of the year with an efficient sweep of Iowa on Thursday. Outside hitters Mara Stiglic (3.40 kills per set) and Isabella Bullington (3.23 kills per set) carry the offensive load for Northwestern. Opposite hitter Campbell Paris turns in 2.66 kills per set as well.
• Setter Ella Stiernagle was tasked with running the offense in her first year on campus. She has provided 9.48 assists per set. Northwestern's defense is led by a fellow newcomer in middle blocker Maya Stillwell (0.83 blocks per set).
Purdue (17-7, 10-5 Big Ten)
• Purdue is as consistent as it comes in college volleyball. Once again, Dave Shondell has a team with deep postseason aspirations. Taylor Anderson is averaging 10.89 assists per set and running an offense that hits .263 on the year. Top pin attackers Addy Tindall (3.83 kills per set) and Grace Heaney (3.01 kills per set) are her top offensive choices.
• Libero Ryan McAleer runs the back row with 3.76 digs per set and is one of the top passers in the country. Middle blocker Dior Charles anchors a net defense that averages 2.57 blocks per set. She also contributes 1.39 kills per set for the Boilermakers.
Inside the Series
Northwestern
• The Hoosiers have opened up a lead in the all-time series after winning three of the last four matches. IU opened up Big Ten play with a tough road victory at Northwestern last year, sparking a 14-win conference campaign. IU has won three-straight matches in Bloomington
Purdue
• Head coach Dave Shondell has made Purdue one of the toughest programs in the country in nearly 25 years as the head coach. He's dominated IU over the years. The Hoosiers broke a long streak in 2023 but have since lost five-straight matches. There's been just one sweep in the all-time series in the last nine contests.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballWednesday, November 11
Sunday, November 08
Friday, November 06
Saturday, October 31