WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue volleyball program announced its toughest non-conference schedule in more than 21 seasons, headlined by six opponents ranked or receiving votes in the final 2022 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll. Four of the six opponents will be hosted within the friendly confines of Holloway Gymnasium.
The season opener is set for Friday, August 25 at 7 p.m. ET when Purdue takes on Duke at 7 p.m. ET.
Of the team's four weeks of non-conference play, three will be held at home, while one tournament will take place at Kansas.
"The 2023 non-conference slate is a gauntlet of outstanding teams who will provide stiff competition for our Boilermakers, but also allow our team an opportunity to earn a quality RPI mark," head coach Dave Shondell said. "We are counting on our fans to be difference makers once again this season. With seven home matches scheduled in Holloway Gymnasium before conference play begins, I believe this will be the most electric stretch of non-league matches to ever be played on the home boards of Belin Court."
The Boilermakers will see at least one ranked opponent each week. In the opening weekend, the Boilermakers will take on No. 21 Creighton on Saturday, August 26. In Week Two, Purdue will play at Kansas, which received votes in the final poll, on Thursday, August 31 before taking on No. 13 Marquette the following day. Purdue returns home for Week Three, which will include playing the winner of #14 Kentucky vs. #17 Houston. To round out non-conference action, the Boilermakers will face No. 22 UCF and Southern California (USC), which received votes in Week Four.
This fall, Purdue's loaded squad will feature seven newcomers, including the No. 3 recruiting class in the nation, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Eva Hudson and All-Big Ten Second Team honorees Raven Colvin and Maddie Schermerhorn, who announced her return for a fifth year. On her way to becoming the first freshman in Purdue volleyball history to receive an All-America nod, Hudson led the Big Ten in both total kills and total points.
Newcomers include fifth year transfer setter Lorrin Poulter, setter Taylor Anderson, outside hitter and PrepVolleyball's No. 1 ranked recruit Chloe Chicoine, opposite/right side Grace Heaney, defensive specialist Julia Kane, defensive specialist Rachel Williams and outside hitter Kenna Wollard.
The Boilermakers are coming off its eighth consecutive NCAA tournament second round appearance and the program's 14th 20-win season under Shondell's reign.
Season tickets will not be on sale for the general public. Fans can join the Purdue volleyball season ticket wait list by calling the ticket office at765-494-3194. Information on single-game tickets will be available soon.
The Breakdown
- Seven of Purdue's nine opponents (77.8%) appeared in the 2022 NCAA tournament, including four which advanced out of the first round
- Six of Purdue's nine opponents (66.7%) were recognized in the AVCA poll
- The Boilermakers will have the most non-conference home matches since 2018 (seven home appearances)
- Home tournaments: Reamer Club Xtra Special Premier (8/25-8/27), Stacey Clark Classic (9/8-9/9) and the Boilermaker Challenge (9/14-9/15)
- The majority of Purdue's non-con schedule are played on Fridays (four matches), followed by Thursdays and Saturdays (two matches apiece) and one Sunday showing