IN THE THICK OF IT
- Purdue is in the midst of an eight-match stretch where the squad is facing seven opponents recognized in the most current AVCA poll (six among the top-24, one receiving votes).
BEST DEFENSIVE TEAM IN THE B1G
- Purdue leads the conference in digs/set (15.22).
- Ryan McAleer was selected to AvidVolley's Libero of the Year Midseason Watch List (six total selected). She's joined on the list by Rachel Van Gorp (Iowa State, defending AVCA Libero of the Year), Lily Hayes (Florida), Molly Tuozzo (Kentucky), Payton Petersen (Louisville) and Olivia Mauch (Nebraska).
- Meanwhile, the Boilers also rank #4 in opponent hitting % (.177%) and #4 in blocks/set (2.66).
- No other team in the Big Ten ranks among the top-4 in digs/set, blocks/set and opponent hitting %.
USC AT A GLANCE
- One, if not the most, athletic team in the conference is the B1G leader in blocks and #5 in the nation with 2.96/set.
- On Monday night, USC announced head coach Brad Keller will be on an indefinite personal leave with fourth-year assistant coach Megan Moenoa assuming head coaching duties.
- Mia Tvrdy is #3 in the B1G in blocks (69) and London Wijay is #3 in attacks/set (10/23).
A WIN VS. #24 ILLINOIS WOULD MEAN...
- Purdue's second top-25 victory at home, and first ranked win of the season in Holloway (#12 Texas A&M was played in Mackey Arena on 9/1).
#24 ILLINOIS AT A GLANCE
- In a gauntlet to start Big Ten play, the Illini begins the season facing six consecutive ranked opponents and will take on #7 Wisconsin at home before traveling to Purdue for Sunday's match. The squad owns a 3-2 record against ranked foes this season, including three straight against the top-25 until falling at #17 Oregon while Purdue was at Washington on Sunday.
- An efficient squad, Illinois ranks #3 in the league and #17 nationally with a .283 clip , while limiting opponents to 1.68 blocks/set - the third-best mark in the league.
- Kristina Starostenko owns a .452 attack % good for #6 in the nation and #3 in the B1G.
FRIDAY NIGHT VICE
- On Friday night at #17 Oregon, freshman Sydni Vice started at the outside hitter position when Mimi Mambu was out due to illness. The Boiler played her first entire match in-rotation, and posted a team-leading 14 kills in the showing, adding four blocks, including two solo stuffs.
RECENT HISTORY VS ILLINOIS
- Over the last five matches, Purdue holds the 3-2 edge.
- One of the tightest matchups between programs, Purdue and Illinois are nearly even in wins/losses since 2003, with Purdue holding the 21-20 advantage in wins.
- It's the first meeting with both teams ranked since 2019: #17 Purdue at #18 Illinois (10/6/19).
