Indianapolis, IND – The No. 14 Purdue Boilermakers secured a hard-fought road victory over the Butler Bulldogs in a competitive three-set sweep at Hinkle Fieldhouse on September 9, 2025. The match, which drew a record-setting crowd of 3,067 fans for a Butler volleyball contest, was a highly anticipated affair, not only for the in-state rivalry but also for the unique matchup of father-and-son head coaches, with Purdue’s Dave Shondell facing off against his son, Butler’s Kyle Shondell. Despite the final sweep, each set was a nail-biter, with the Boilermakers winning by a combined seven points across all three frames.

➡️  Purdue v Butler photos

The Bulldogs came out firing in the first set, energized by the record crowd and an aggressive offensive attack. Butler raced out to an early 5-1 lead and later extended their advantage to 17-12, putting the Boilermakers on their heels. However, the experienced Purdue squad mounted a strong comeback, closing the gap and eventually taking a late lead. Butler’s Elise Ward fought off one set point with a kill, but the Boilermakers ultimately sealed the set with a 25-23 victory. The second set saw a similar pattern, with Purdue building a lead early at 12-7. While Butler made a late push, highlighted by back-to-back aces from Ward, Purdue maintained its composure to win the set 25-22.

The third set was the most thrilling of the night, featuring 13 tie scores as both teams battled for every point. Butler held an early 7-6 lead before Purdue pulled ahead to take an 18-15 advantage. Not to be outdone, the Bulldogs responded with a run of their own, tying the set at 18. The tension was palpable as the teams traded blows, and Butler even earned a set point after a Purdue error. However, the Boilermakers showed their championship pedigree, saving set point and finishing with a 4-1 run to win the set, 28-26, and clinch the match.

Purdue’s victory was a testament to their offensive depth and strong defense at the net. The team held Butler to a .106 hitting percentage for the match while hitting .241 themselves. Key players for Purdue included Kenna Wollard, who led the team with 15 kills, and Grace Heaney, who added 11. On the defensive end, the Boilermakers out-blocked the Bulldogs 10.5 to 7. Libero Ryan McAleer nearly had a double-double with 15 digs and eight assists, anchoring the back row and providing crucial stability.

While the loss was tough for Butler, the Bulldogs demonstrated a high level of competition and pushed the No. 14 team to its limits. Elise Ward had a standout performance, setting a new career high with five service aces while also tallying seven kills. Setter Kaylee Finnegan distributed the ball well, finishing with 27 assists, while libero Lauren Evans led the team in digs with 18. Alaleh Tolliver was a major offensive threat for the Bulldogs, recording 11 kills. The match was a strong showing for Butler, proving they can compete with some of the top teams in the country as they look ahead to the rest of their season.