WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The No. 10 Purdue volleyball squad opened Big Ten play in sweeping fashion, downing Washington (5-6, 0-1 B1G) 25-21, 29-27, 25-22 at Mackey Arena.
The Boilermakers are off to their best start since 2022, and its first conference season-opener won in three sets. The sweep included a thrilling Set 2, in which the Boilermakers not only erased an eight point deficit, but denied the Huskies four set points before storming back for the victory.
No. 11 Purdue returns for its second of three Mackey matches this season, hosting Illinois on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. The match will be aired on Big Ten Network. Fans are encouraged to come out early before the match, with Purdue Athletics hosting a free-to-attend Block Party from 12-2 p.m. ET at the Sally & Bob Weist Plaza, located outside between Holloway Gymnasium and Mackey Arena. Fans can enjoy inflatable games, music, food trucks including The Tap, bracelet making, 1v1 basketball pop-a-shot, posters, prizes and more.
Key Performances
- Kenna Wollard led the team with 17 kills in the match, responsible for back-to-back kills that denied Washington set point, extending the match to 25-25 and 26-26.
- Akasha Anderson posted four points in Purdue’s final push in set two, including a block to five Purdue the 28-27 go-ahead point and finished the night with 14 kills on a .393 clip
- Despite her position as opposite/right side, Grace Heaney led the team with 12 digs, adding an ace and nine kills to the performance.
- Taylor Anderson racked up 39 assists, a season-high five blocks and seven digs
Notes
- Winning Streak: 8 matches
- Purdue is off to the best start to the season since 2022
- The Boilers have hit at least .400 in a set for the last five straight outings
- The last time Purdue swept a Big Ten opponent in the season-opener: 2022
- The match saw 32 tied scores and 16 lead changes over the course of the match