Friday, September 24 | 7 p.m. ET
vs. #3 Ohio State
Live Stats | WSHY 104.3 FM or Listen Online | BTN
Sunday, September 26 | 2 p.m. ET
at Indiana
Live Stats | WSHY 104.3 FM or Listen Online | B1G+
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The Big Ten season is slated to start for No. 7 Purdue volleyball this Friday, Sept. 23. The Boilermakers (8-1) will face the undefeated No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0) for the opener in front of a sold-out Holloway crowd Friday at 7 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network. Then, Purdue will hit the road to face in-state rival the Indiana Hoosiers (6-6) on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. on B1G+.
In Purdue's loaded weekend, the Boilermakers will look to earn its first win over a top three-ranked opponent in Holloway since 2015. Then on Sunday, Purdue will play for the Monon Spike traveling trophy, which the Boilermakers have won for the past 13 straight contests.
STACEY CLARK CLASSIC LOOK-BACK
• Jena Otec was named MVP, and was joined by All-Tournament Team nods Raven Colvin and Grace Cleveland.
• Five players averaged above a .350 hitting % over the three matches.
• Raven Colvin led the way with .933 on the weekend (14-0-15), followed by Taylor Trammell (12-0-17). Meanwhile Jael Johnson secured a .417 and Grace Cleveland hit .353 over the weekend.
• Purdue totaled 27 blocks over the three matches, including a weekend's best 13.0 vs. Jacksonville State (9/17).
• The defensive performance leveled up as well, out-blocking opponents 27-11 on the team's way to an opponent attack average of .094 %.
• Purdue's 13.0 total blocks vs. Jacksonville State(9/17) was a season-high).
• The sweep vs. Purdue Fort Wayne (9/17) was the fastest this season, finishing in just 1:07.
• Purdue won the second set vs. PFW 25-6, the most decisive set victory in the modern 25-point era.
• The team's .456 hitting % was not only a season-best, but the highest since September 2019.
• Jael Johnson had a season-high five block assists vs. Jacksonville St..
• Taylor Trammell went errorless in both matches she played, including 7-0-11 vs. #22 Tennessee. Overall, she has only four errors on the season, and has gone errorless for three straight contests.
PLAYING THEIR BEST VOLLEYBALL
• Caitlyn Newton (.243 attack %) is on track to have her most eff icient season to date. She has hit over .400 twice: .414 in the season-opener vs. LMU (8/27) and .406 vs. Lipscomb (9/11).
• Grace Cleveland is well beyond her eff iciency numbers from years past. She currently owns a .379 hitting % and 4.4 points per set, with one errorless match at UNLV (9/2, 13-0-23) and nearly had one vs. Tennessee, where she went errorless through the first two sets with 11 kills. In total, Cleveland has not had more than three errors in a match and has one or fewer error in five matches this season.
• Pin hitters Maddy Chinn, Emma Ellis and Maddie Koch have all stepped up when their time came:
• Chinn set a career-high 11 kills and five digs vs. #22 Tennessee (9/18).
• Ellis tied her career-best 13 kills while setting a career-high .600 attack % vs. Lipscomb (9/11).
• Koch went a perfect 3-0-3 for her first 1.000 attack %. Moreover, she tied a career-high two block assists vs. #RV Kansas (8/29).
#3 OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
Series History: 45-46 (PUR Leads) | Last Meeting: March 27, 2021 (W, 3-1 at OSU)
• Purdue has won the past six straight meetings vs. Ohio State, dating back to Oct. 27, 2017. Meanwhile in the past 10 years, Purdue owns the 11-5 advantage.
• The Boilermakers took both matches in the spring in Columbus, 3-1. Purdue ranked #10, Ohio State #9.
• Nationally, Ohio State ranks 2nd in assists per set (14.00), 3rd in kills per set (14.91), and 5th in hitting percentage (.314) - just one spot below Purdue.
• Junior Mac Podraza ranks first in the NCAA in assists/set (12.03).
• Sophomore Emily Londot leads Ohio State with 125 kills, averaging 3.68 per set (fourth in the Big Ten).
• Like Purdue, OSU is in its best season ever and has earned its highest AVCA ranking in program history this season.
• Ohio State became the first league team to beat a top-five opponent this season with a victory over #4 Washington.
INDIANA HOOSIERS
Series History: 6-1 (PUR leads) | Last Meeting on September 17, 2005 (W, 3-0 at Purdue)
• Purdue and Indiana will play for the traveling Monon Spike this Sunday. Purdue leads 34-12 in the Spike history, including the past 13 straight trophy matches (since 2008). In the spring, Purdue won in sweeping fashion for the 13th straight year. Moreover, Purdue as won the last 17 straight contests vs. IU.
• The Hoosier have a strong block, ranking 10th in the NCAA with 122.0 total blocks. In blocks per set, IU checks in at 34th in the NCAA and 8th in the Big Ten with 2.60.
• Kaley Rammelsburg's .425 hitting % ranks 21st in the NCAA and 5th in the Big Ten.
THE PURDUE ROSTER AT A GLANCE
• The 21-woman roster is the largest in program history.
• Purdue is the most experienced team in the Big Ten with 13 players having at least two years of experience (over half at 61%).
• The entire 2020 roster returns for the fall, including fifth year returners AVCA Third Team All-American Caitlyn Newton and AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Jena Otec.
• There is a program-record four AVCA All-America recognized players on the roster: First Team All-American Grace Cleveland, Third Team All-American Newton and Honorable Mentions Hayley Bush and Otec. Meanwhile Taylor Trammell was recognized by VolleyballMag.com as an All-America Honorable Mention.
• Four newcomers join the ranks to make up the No. 10 recruiting class (VolleyballMag.com): Raven Colvin (2020 Under Armour All-America Honorable Mention), Ali Hornung (2020 Under Armour First Team All-America and Gatorade State Player of the Year for Indiana), Emily Rastovski (2019 Under Armour All-America) and Sydney Yim (Gatorade State Player of the Year for Massachusetts).
vs. #3 Ohio State
Live Stats | WSHY 104.3 FM or Listen Online | BTN
Sunday, September 26 | 2 p.m. ET
at Indiana
Live Stats | WSHY 104.3 FM or Listen Online | B1G+
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The Big Ten season is slated to start for No. 7 Purdue volleyball this Friday, Sept. 23. The Boilermakers (8-1) will face the undefeated No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0) for the opener in front of a sold-out Holloway crowd Friday at 7 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network. Then, Purdue will hit the road to face in-state rival the Indiana Hoosiers (6-6) on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. on B1G+.
In Purdue's loaded weekend, the Boilermakers will look to earn its first win over a top three-ranked opponent in Holloway since 2015. Then on Sunday, Purdue will play for the Monon Spike traveling trophy, which the Boilermakers have won for the past 13 straight contests.
STACEY CLARK CLASSIC LOOK-BACK
• Jena Otec was named MVP, and was joined by All-Tournament Team nods Raven Colvin and Grace Cleveland.
• Five players averaged above a .350 hitting % over the three matches.
• Raven Colvin led the way with .933 on the weekend (14-0-15), followed by Taylor Trammell (12-0-17). Meanwhile Jael Johnson secured a .417 and Grace Cleveland hit .353 over the weekend.
• Purdue totaled 27 blocks over the three matches, including a weekend's best 13.0 vs. Jacksonville State (9/17).
• The defensive performance leveled up as well, out-blocking opponents 27-11 on the team's way to an opponent attack average of .094 %.
• Purdue's 13.0 total blocks vs. Jacksonville State(9/17) was a season-high).
• The sweep vs. Purdue Fort Wayne (9/17) was the fastest this season, finishing in just 1:07.
• Purdue won the second set vs. PFW 25-6, the most decisive set victory in the modern 25-point era.
• The team's .456 hitting % was not only a season-best, but the highest since September 2019.
• Jael Johnson had a season-high five block assists vs. Jacksonville St..
• Taylor Trammell went errorless in both matches she played, including 7-0-11 vs. #22 Tennessee. Overall, she has only four errors on the season, and has gone errorless for three straight contests.
PLAYING THEIR BEST VOLLEYBALL
• Caitlyn Newton (.243 attack %) is on track to have her most eff icient season to date. She has hit over .400 twice: .414 in the season-opener vs. LMU (8/27) and .406 vs. Lipscomb (9/11).
• Grace Cleveland is well beyond her eff iciency numbers from years past. She currently owns a .379 hitting % and 4.4 points per set, with one errorless match at UNLV (9/2, 13-0-23) and nearly had one vs. Tennessee, where she went errorless through the first two sets with 11 kills. In total, Cleveland has not had more than three errors in a match and has one or fewer error in five matches this season.
• Pin hitters Maddy Chinn, Emma Ellis and Maddie Koch have all stepped up when their time came:
• Chinn set a career-high 11 kills and five digs vs. #22 Tennessee (9/18).
• Ellis tied her career-best 13 kills while setting a career-high .600 attack % vs. Lipscomb (9/11).
• Koch went a perfect 3-0-3 for her first 1.000 attack %. Moreover, she tied a career-high two block assists vs. #RV Kansas (8/29).
#3 OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
Series History: 45-46 (PUR Leads) | Last Meeting: March 27, 2021 (W, 3-1 at OSU)
• Purdue has won the past six straight meetings vs. Ohio State, dating back to Oct. 27, 2017. Meanwhile in the past 10 years, Purdue owns the 11-5 advantage.
• The Boilermakers took both matches in the spring in Columbus, 3-1. Purdue ranked #10, Ohio State #9.
• Nationally, Ohio State ranks 2nd in assists per set (14.00), 3rd in kills per set (14.91), and 5th in hitting percentage (.314) - just one spot below Purdue.
• Junior Mac Podraza ranks first in the NCAA in assists/set (12.03).
• Sophomore Emily Londot leads Ohio State with 125 kills, averaging 3.68 per set (fourth in the Big Ten).
• Like Purdue, OSU is in its best season ever and has earned its highest AVCA ranking in program history this season.
• Ohio State became the first league team to beat a top-five opponent this season with a victory over #4 Washington.
INDIANA HOOSIERS
Series History: 6-1 (PUR leads) | Last Meeting on September 17, 2005 (W, 3-0 at Purdue)
• Purdue and Indiana will play for the traveling Monon Spike this Sunday. Purdue leads 34-12 in the Spike history, including the past 13 straight trophy matches (since 2008). In the spring, Purdue won in sweeping fashion for the 13th straight year. Moreover, Purdue as won the last 17 straight contests vs. IU.
• The Hoosier have a strong block, ranking 10th in the NCAA with 122.0 total blocks. In blocks per set, IU checks in at 34th in the NCAA and 8th in the Big Ten with 2.60.
• Kaley Rammelsburg's .425 hitting % ranks 21st in the NCAA and 5th in the Big Ten.
THE PURDUE ROSTER AT A GLANCE
• The 21-woman roster is the largest in program history.
• Purdue is the most experienced team in the Big Ten with 13 players having at least two years of experience (over half at 61%).
• The entire 2020 roster returns for the fall, including fifth year returners AVCA Third Team All-American Caitlyn Newton and AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Jena Otec.
• There is a program-record four AVCA All-America recognized players on the roster: First Team All-American Grace Cleveland, Third Team All-American Newton and Honorable Mentions Hayley Bush and Otec. Meanwhile Taylor Trammell was recognized by VolleyballMag.com as an All-America Honorable Mention.
• Four newcomers join the ranks to make up the No. 10 recruiting class (VolleyballMag.com): Raven Colvin (2020 Under Armour All-America Honorable Mention), Ali Hornung (2020 Under Armour First Team All-America and Gatorade State Player of the Year for Indiana), Emily Rastovski (2019 Under Armour All-America) and Sydney Yim (Gatorade State Player of the Year for Massachusetts).