West Lafayette, IND — The No. 9 Purdue Boilermakers suffered a stunning defeat at Holloway Gymnasium on Saturday, November 15, 2025, falling in a five-set thriller to the visiting Oregon Ducks. The Ducks, who saved two Purdue match points in the decisive fifth frame, fought their way to a 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 18-25, 17-15) victory. The loss halted Purdue’s impressive nine-match winning streak and marked their first time losing a five-set match this season, dropping their overall record to 22-4 and their Big Ten tally to 13-3.

➡️  Purdue vs Oregon photos

The match was a statistical slugfest, showcasing high-level offense from both sides. Purdue utilized a balanced attack to post a team hitting percentage of .342, narrowly eclipsing Oregon’s .338 mark. Junior outside hitter Grace Heaney led the Boilermakers’ effort with a match-high 21 kills, while Kenna Wollard continued her stellar play by adding 20 kills and 10 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Setter Taylor Anderson directed the high-powered offense with 55 assists.

Purdue showed grit early, narrowly taking the first set 25-23 despite Oregon’s strong resistance. However, the Ducks quickly adjusted, taking the tightly contested second set 25-23, and then dominating the third set 25-16, capitalizing on Purdue’s dip in efficiency. Trailing 2-1 in the match, the Boilermakers responded fiercely in the fourth, powering to a 25-18 victory behind a commanding 6-0 run that re-established momentum and forced the decisive fifth set.

The final frame proved to be one of the most intense of the season, with the lead changing hands several times. After Oregon jumped out to an early 5-2 advantage, Purdue charged back, using a massive surge led by Wollard’s hitting to take a commanding 13-10 lead, putting them on the verge of victory. However, the Ducks refused to concede, fighting off the first Purdue match point at 14-13 and benefiting from a Boilermaker service error at 15-14 to keep the match alive.

With the score tied 15-15, Oregon head coach Trent Kersten made a critical substitution, bringing in Marlee Arrington for extra blocking power. The move immediately paid off as Arrington teamed up with Holley McFadden for a crucial block, giving Oregon match point. The Ducks closed the match on the very next play, securing the emotional 17-15 victory and handing the No. 9 Boilermakers a rare home defeat.

The Ducks were fueled by an outstanding performance from outside hitter Alanah Clemente, who recorded a career-high 25 kills. Ultimately, the difference in the match came down to the perimeter battle and the serve/receive game, where Oregon managed to out-dig Purdue 57-47 and hold a decisive 7-3 advantage in service aces. Despite the disheartening loss, the Boilermakers’ offensive output and powerful response in the fourth set highlighted their ability to compete at the elite level, though they will need to shore up their defense as they head into the final weeks of the regular season.