WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The 2016 Boilermakers went toe to toe with program alumnae Saturday in one final tuneup match before the start of the season. The current squad won 3-1 with the alumnae taking the final stanza.
Juniors Danielle Cuttino and Azariah Stahl put on an offensive show, both pounding down double-digit kills with 14 and 15 respectively and Stahl hitting at a .303 clip. Redshirt sophomore transfer Sherridan Atkinson added eight kills and redshirt freshman Blake Mohler chipped in six.
The Boilermakers were active at the net, racking up 16 blocks to just four for the alumnae. Redshirt junior setter Ashley Evans managed seven stuffs as did redshirt freshman Shavona Cuttino. Redshirt senior Faye Adelaja was credited with six blocks.
Defensively, sophomore Brooke Peters managed a team-best 13 digs followed by redshirt sophomore Carissa Damler (9) and Evnas (7). All 13 Boilermakers saw court time and 11 managed at least one dig.
The alumnae team was led offensively by 2015 All-American outside hitter Annie Drews and 2008 All-American middle blocker Stephanie Lynch Harpeneau. Two-time Honorable Mention All-Big Ten libero Carly Cramer (2013) and 2010 All-American setter Jaclyn Hart Groves paced the defense. Ten former players took the court for the alumnae team, with defensive specialist/outside hitter Hilliary Fox, defensive specialist Kate Workman, middle blocker KiKi Jones, outside hitter Michelle (Erickson) Hayes, defensive specialist/outside hitter Blair Bashen and middle blocker Kaisley Fisher rounding out the group.
The 2016 Boilermakers kick off their season by playing host to the annual Mortar Board Premier, Friday and Saturday on Belin Court. Purdue begins play against Wyoming at 10 a.m. Friday before facing Washington State at 7:30 p.m. and No. 24 Kentucky at 6 p.m. Saturday.