West Lafayette, IND — The No. 17 Purdue Boilermakers showcased their resilience and grit this week, bouncing back from an opening-day loss to win two thrilling five-set matches and finish with a 2-1 record in their own Stacy Clark Classic. Competing against a strong field that included No. 23 Georgia Tech, No. 15 Kansas, and Bowling Green, the Boilermakers proved they could battle through adversity and secure critical victories at Holloway Gymnasium.

➡️  Purdue v Georgia Tech photos

The tournament began on Wednesday, September 3, with a tough test against No. 23 Georgia Tech. In their first ranked matchup of the season, the Boilermakers were unable to find their rhythm, falling to the Yellow Jackets in four sets. The loss was Purdue’s first of the season, and it could have defined the rest of their weekend. Instead, it became a catalyst for a change in mindset.

Purdue returned to the court on Thursday, facing Bowling Green in a match that went the distance. In a hard-fought five-set victory, key performances from the team’s front line led the way. The momentum continued into the final day of the tournament as Purdue faced No. 15 Kansas. The match was a back-and-forth affair, with each team trading sets. In the decisive fifth set, head coach Dave Shondell won a crucial challenge that tied the score at 8-8, and from that point on, the Boilermakers took control.

The win over Kansas was a team effort, but sophomore Ryan McAleer delivered a career-defining performance with 30 digs, the most by a Boilermaker since 2021. Kenna Wollard also had a dominant weekend, finishing the tournament with 63 kills and 34 digs, including back-to-back double-doubles in the five-set victories. The clutch wins demonstrate the young squad’s ability to learn and grow from a loss, finding ways to win when it matters most.

Ultimately, the competitive tournament ended with Purdue, Kansas, and Georgia Tech all finishing with 2-1 records. For the Boilermakers, the Stacy Clark Classic proved to be a valuable early-season test, showing they have the talent and mental fortitude to compete against the nation’s best.