West Lafayette, IND — The No. 9 Purdue Boilermakers volleyball team delivered a powerful statement to the Big Ten and the nation, securing two crucial home victories over the weekend of November 7th and 8th. Displaying their defensive prowess and balanced attack, Purdue first swept No. 25 Penn State on Friday before fighting through a tough four-set contest against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday. The perfect weekend pushed the Boilermakers’ win streak to eight matches and improved their season record to a commanding 22-3 overall and 12-2 in conference play, keeping them firmly in second place in the Big Ten standings.

The weekend opened on Friday, November 7th, with an electrifying performance against the 25th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. Playing in front of a packed Holloway Gymnasium, the Boilermakers executed a clinical sweep, defeating the former national champions 3-0 by set scores of 25-20, 25-21, and 25-22. The dominant straight-set victory over a ranked opponent showcased Purdue’s efficiency and mental toughness, setting a high bar for the rest of the weekend’s action.

The Boilermakers’ offense was spearheaded by junior outside hitter Kenna Wollard, who delivered a match-high 19 kills, while hitting an impressive .386 for the contest. She was backed by strong hitting from Akasha Anderson and Grace Heaney, who each chipped in 10 kills, helping the team achieve a stellar .312 combined hitting percentage. The consistent setting came from Taylor Anderson, who directed the attack with 39 assists and contributed 11 digs defensively, highlighting the team’s seamless execution.

Defensively, Purdue created a formidable wall at the net and in the back row. The Boilermakers out-blocked the Nittany Lions 7.5 to 5, with Taylor Anderson, Bianka Lulic, and Akasha Anderson all registering multiple blocks. In the backcourt, libero Ryan McAleer led the team with 15 digs, while Julia Kane added 10, ensuring that Purdue limited Penn State’s ability to sustain rallies and keep the pressure off their own attackers.

Saturday’s contest proved to be a tougher challenge, as the Iowa Hawkeyes refused to concede easily. In a match filled with intense rallies and close calls, Purdue ultimately secured the 3-1 victory with set scores of 25-22, 25-21, 17-25, and 25-18. Despite the Hawkeyes winning the third set and challenging the Boilermakers in various statistical categories (out-killing and out-digging Purdue), the home side’s blocking and closing runs proved decisive.

The match against Iowa was a testament to Purdue’s depth, particularly in the blocking game where they tallied 11.5 total blocks to Iowa’s 9. This performance was critical in stifling the Hawkeyes’ attack late in sets. Offensively, Kenna Wollard recorded her fifth double-double of the season, posting 13 kills and 10 digs. The return of middle Lindsey Miller, who missed the previous eight matches due to injury, also provided a significant boost, as she hit an errorless .545 with six kills and three block assists.

Ultimately, the weekend reaffirmed the No. 9 Boilermakers’ standing as one of the elite teams in the Big Ten. With the season drawing to a close, the consecutive wins over a ranked Penn State and a challenging Iowa squad show that Purdue is peaking at the right time. The team will look to continue its impressive run when it returns to Holloway Gymnasium to host Maryland and Oregon this weekend, aiming to maintain their second-place position heading into the final stretch of the regular season.