• TicketsTickets
#8 Purdue Heads West for Rebel Challenge#8 Purdue Heads West for Rebel Challenge

#8 Purdue Heads West for Rebel Challenge

No. 8 Purdue volleyball will play in the Rebel Challenge in Las Vegas. The two day tournament will feature UNLV and No. 25 Washington State.

Watch Live (Stream) Opens in a new window Live Stats Opens in a new window Listen Opens in a new window Game Notes Opens in a new window
REBEL CHALLENGE SCHEDULE
Thursday, 9/2 | 7 p.m. ET
Mountain West Network (Stream) | WSHY 104.3 FM
#8 Purdue at #RV UNLV
 
Friday, 9/3 | 7 p.m. ET
#8 Purdue vs. #25 Washington State
 WSHY 104.3 FM
 
LAS VEGAS – The #8 Purdue volleyball team is set for the Rebel Challenge, hosted by UNLV, for week two of the season. The two-day tournament will feature UNLV and No. 25 Washington State on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
 
PURDUE: EFFICIENT FROM THE START
  • During preseason, HC Dave Shondell said his focus for the 2021 season would be on hitting efficiency after finishing the spring with a .243 clip (6th in the Big Ten). 
  • As a team, Purdue averaged a .322 hitting clip after going .339 vs. LMU and .303 vs. Kansas. It is the first pair of back-to-back matches with the Boilermakers hitting above .300 since the wins vs. Iowa on January 29 and 30th, 2021.
  • Seven Boilermakers averaged a .300 attack % or better after the opening weekend, leading the Big Ten: Hayley Bush with .857 (6-0-6), Taylor Trammell .414 (14-2-29), Raven Colvin .364 (5-1-11), Caitlyn Newton .339 (25-5-59), Maddie Koch .333 (6-2-12), Grace Cleveland .320 (20-4-50) and Emma Ellis .300 (4-1-10).
 
PURDUE IN THE AVCA RANKINGS
  • Purdue has spent 8 straight weeks ranked in the top-10, dating back to March 8, 2021. It is longest streak in program history.
  • The Boilermakers are ranked for 63 consecutive weeks (Preseason 2017-2021).
 
#RV UNLV REBELS
Series History: First Meeting
  • Chloe Thomas is the reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Week (8/30) after hitting .435% with 1.33 kills per set across the Rebels' first three matches.
  • Mariena Hayden returns as the reigning 2020 Mountain West Player of the Year and was also selected to repeat this year.
  • Senior Milica Tasic leads the scoring charge for the Rebels, contributing 4.39 points per set with already 35 kills through three matches.
  • The Rebels return the majority of scoring from 2020 when they hit at a .298 hitting clip with 14.1 kills per set.
 
#25 WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
Series History: 1-0 | Purdue Leads | Last Meeting on August 26, 2016 (W, 3-1 at Purdue)
  • The Cougars are coming off of an 11-5 record in 2020, which was good for fourth place in the Pac-12 conference.
  • Washington State was a No. 15 seed in the NCAA Tournament this past spring, where it lost to WKU in the Second Round
  • Fifth year senior Penny Tusa leads the Cougars in scoring with a .361 % (3.89 kills per set).
  • Junior libero Karly Basham leads the Cougar defense with 27 digs this season, averaging three dis per set.
  • Washington State is looking to bounce back after starting the season 0-2 for the first time since 2004.