Top-10 Showdowns in Kansas

JAYHAWK CLASSIC
Thursday, September 19
7:30 p.m. ET | #6 Purdue at #10 Kansas | ESPN+ | WSHY 104.3 FM

Friday, September 20
5 p.m. ET | #6 Purdue vs. #9 Creighton | ESPN+ | WSHY 104.3 FM
 
Saturday, September 14
1:30 p.m ET | #6 Purdue vs. Tulsa | ESPN+ | WSHY 104.3 FM
 

West Lafayette, Ind. – Coming off a victory vs. then-No. 10 Kentucky, the No. 6 Purdue Boilermakers will continue its stretch of top-10 matchups at the Jayhawk Classic this weekend.

The Boilermakers will face No. 10 Kansas on Saturday, before turning around and playing No. 9 Creighton less than 24 hours later. Then, Purdue will close out the tournament against Tulsa, another team with a top-25 win on its resume, on Saturday. All matches will be streamed on ESPN+ and available for listening on WSHY 104.3 FM or online HERE.
 

PURDUE: QUICK HITS

• Purdue is No. 2 in the nation in blocks per set (3.52) and No. 10 in hitting % (.296).
• Purdue has dropped just three of the last 27 sets. Purdue, Penn State and Syracuse are the only three teams in DI to have lost just three sets this year.
• The Boilermakers are one of 16 teams to remain undefeated in Division I.
• The Boilermakers adjustments during a match has led to improved play, seen in increased hitting % and/or blocks from first to second sets.
• Kenna Wollard's .313 hitting %. The sophomore has hit .300 or above in all but one match.
• Raven Colvin leads the nation in blocks and is averaging a .455 hitting %. The senior has hit .700 twice already and recorded 16 kills vs. Cal (9/5) and two 10-block matches.
• Freshman DS Ryan McAleer is a regular in the back row and has recorded a perfect reception % in six of eight matches.
• Eva Hudson is averaging 4.37 kills per set and 4.93 points per set this season.
• Chloe Chicoine owns a team-leading four double-doubles this season.

SCOUTING #10 KANSAS

• The #10 Jayhawks come into this match 7-0, with one game played against a ranked opponent: a 3-1 win vs #24 Marquette.   
• Kansas recently moved up to #10 in the AVCA rankings after being placed at #11 the week prior. 
• Freshman middle blocker Zoey Burgess led the way in the win over Marquette, with eight kills on 11 attempts in her first career-start. Burgess was named Big 12 Rookie of the Week after her Week One performance. 
• The Jayhawks are led by the Senior trio of setter Camryn Turner, outside hitter Ayah Elnady, and opposite London Davis who were all recognized on the All-Big 12 Preseason Team. 
• Kansas is coached by five-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, Ray Bechard in his 27th season with the program. 

SCOUTING #9 CREIGHTON

• After three weeks of play, #9 Creighton has a record of 7-2 with a notable win over #20 USC, and two tough five-set losses against #5 Nebraska and #4 Louisville. 
• The Bluejays spot in the AVCA rankings began at #12 but has since moved up to #9. 
• Libero Maddy Bilinovic was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Week after recording 69 digs across the four-match week. 
• In addition to her transition defense, Bilinovic was successful in serve receive, only allowing one ace on 65 receptions. 
• Earlier in the season, Seniors Norah Sis and Kendra Wait earned their own Big East recognitions, with Sis being named Big East Offensive Player of the Week and Wait as the Big East Setter of the Week. 
• The Bluejays are coached by three-time National Coach of the Year, Kirsten Bernthal Booth in her 22nd season as Head Coach. 

SCOUTING TULSA

• Tulsa has started the season 8-2 with a highlighted win over #22 Arkansas in a five-set thriller. They will face #10 Kansas the evening prior to the Saturday match against Purdue. 
• The win against Arkansas was just the program's second win over a nationally ranked opponent. 
• Junior setter Brayden Hipp was honored as the American Athletic Conference Setter of the Week, announced by the league on Monday.  
• Hipp averaged 5.50 assists and 2.86 digs per set in the three-match week at the Tulsa Volleyball Invitational. 
• Most of Hipp's assists are put away by middle blocker Rachel Brown and outside hitter Tatum Tornatta, both tallying 81 kills on the season. 
• The Hurricanes are coached by Lauren Ramatowski in her second year leading the team. She was previously an assistant coach at Kansas State and Arkansas. 

ON A MISSION: RAVEN COLVIN

• The senior is hitting .455% on the season and averaging 2.44 kills and  2.04 blocks per set.
• Over the last three matches, Colvin has averaged a .614 attack %.
• The Boiler has recorded two 10-block performances: vs. K-State (8/30) and at Utah State (9/7).
• Number of matches with one or less attack errors: 4
• Number of matches hitting .300 or above: 6
• Number of matchings hitting .400 or above: 5
• Number of matches hitting .500 or above: 4
• Number of matches hitting .700 or above: 2

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN

• Purdue is in a stretch with three consecutive top-10 matchups.
• The Boilermakers are also in a larger stretch with five of six opponents ranked in the top-25.