NASSAU, BAHAMAS – No. 14 Purdue Volleyball was crowned the Paradise Invitational Champions, downing No. 8 SMU in straight sets, 30-28, 25-23, 25-22. With the win, Purdue improves to 5-2 on the season, while SMU, a team coming off a win vs. #3 Kentucky the day prior, falls to 6-2.
The win marked the 12th consecutive season Purdue Volleyball has taken down a top-10 opponent. In fact, Purdue’s won 22 top-10 showdowns since 2015.
It was the third match Purdue and SMU has met since the beginning of last season. The Boilermakers hold the 3-0 record in those matches, each of which, Purdue was viewed as the “underdog”.
Taylor Anderson shined in the match, totaling 33 assists, nine digs, a block assist and two well-timed kills as the Boilers hit .257 on the night. The senior played likely the best match of her career to-date, seen in her decision making, and well placed balls on each play. The Boilermaker, who finished the match with 4,108 career assists, is primed to ascend Purdue's top-10 career assists list in the very near future, just nine assists away from surpassing Mary (Fischl) Wise to move up to No. 8 all-time, and 19 assists away from eclipsing Wise and No. 7's Ashley Evans.
The well-balanced offense saw four Boilermakers range from nine-12 kills int he match.
No. 14 Purdue out-blocked No. 8 SMU, 10-7 - an effort led by senior Dior Charles' five blocks, including one solo.
Kate Hansen shined in the match, totaling 10 kills and just two attack errors on 19 swings for a team-leading .421 attack %. She complimented the performance with four total blocks, including one solo.
Grace Heaney led the Boilers with 12 kills, while approaching a double-double with seven digs, three block assists and an ace.
Ryan McAleer anchored the back row with 11 digs as she helped hold SMU to a .220 clip, including a .204 mark in the first set.
UP NEXT
No. 14 Purdue returns home to host the Stacey Clark Classic, which will begin Thursday vs. UAlbany at 6 p.m. ET for the Hammer Down Cancer match. Then, on Saturday Purdue will take on UCF at 1 p.m. ET and will Lace Up for Pediatric Cancer with a Toy Story theme-night. A special Purdue Volleyball Toy Story poster will be given away.