WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The No. 17 Purdue volleyball team hits off the 2019 season at home, hosting Ohio and Ball State in single matches at Holloway Gymnasium.
The Boilermakers first face off against the Bobcats on Sunday, Sept. 1, before challenging the Cardinals on Tuesday, Sept. 3. The matches are slated to start at 2 p.m. ET and 7 p.m., respectively.
It's a Holloway welcome back party! Students are welcomed to a Block Party Tailgate with free pizza and drinks, tailgate games, music, and Block Party t-shirt pick-ups! All Boilermaker Kids Club members can also choose to claim two free tickets to the match, while all fans can pick up a free Purdue volleyball schedule magnet.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
In an effort to provide a safer environment and to expedite fan entry, Purdue Athletics will implement a clear bag policy for all volleyball matches at Holloway Gymnasium during the 2019-20 seasons.
Fans are encouraged not to bring any type of bags to games, and only the following are permissible:
PURDUE VS. OHIO
Sunday, September 1 | 2 p.m. ET
Watch | Listen | Live Stats
PURDUE VS. BALL STATE
Tuesday, September 3 | 7 p.m. ET
Watch | Listen | Live Stats
QUICK HITS
- The 2019 season marks the 44th year of Purdue volleyball.
- Purdue was picked to finish sixth in the Big Ten in the conference's preseason poll.
- Purdue's 2019 schedule boasts 13 contests against opponents that earned bids to the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Those opponents include Eastern Michigan, Illinois (NCAA semifinalist), Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Minnesota, Murray State, Nebraska (NCAA Championship runner up), Penn State (NCAA semifinalist) and Wisconsin (NCAA semifinalist)
- Head coach Dave Shondell stands at 348-184 in his 17th season in West Lafayette. He is joined by assistant coaches John Shondell and Kathy Jewell, who also enter their 17th season with the Boilermakers.
- The Boilermaker roster features a pair of redshirt seniors, two juniors, six sophomores and six freshmen.
- Preseason All-Big Ten selection Blake Mohler returns after a strong junior season. In 2018, Mohler guided Purdue's defensive efforts at the net with 1.08 stuffs per set, while also sitting sixth in the Big Ten with a team-best 0.358 hitting percentage. Her 140 total blocks rank sixth in the league and 43rd in the NCAA. In conference action, she ranked among the top-15 blockers with 0.95 stuffs per set average and was 10th with a .321 attack clip. A returning starter for Purdue, Mohler also ranked third on the team with 316 kills for a 2.43 kills per set average while adding 46 digs, 10 assists and one service ace on the season.
- The 2019 Purdue volleyball team welcomes six freshmen to Holloway in Maddy Chinn, Emma Ellis, Madeline Koch, Megan Renner, Maddie Schermerhorn and Ava Torrance. Together the incoming group was ranked the 8th-best recruiting class in the nation by PrepVolleyball.
SERIES HISTORY
The Boilermakers are 26-4 all-time against this week's field:
vs. Ohio: 5-0
vs. Ball State: 21-4
SCOUTING OHIO
- The Ohio Bobcats are coming off a 13-18 season in 2018, including a 7-9 mark in the Mid-American Conference.
- Ohio opened 2019 with a pair of losses to Fresno State (3-1) and Wisconsin – Green Bay (3-1) at the Green Bay Invite.
- Deane Webb enters his sixth season as the Ohio volleyball head coach. In his five seasons, the Bobcats have gone 93-58, including a 57-23 showing in conference play.
- Ohio won a MAC regular season title with a perfect 16-0 (1.000) league year in 2014, then captured the conference tournament title in 2015, the latter of which propelled the 'Cats to their 10th NCAA Championship appearance in program history.
- This season Ohio was picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference East Division. The Bobcats received one first place vote.
- Three players – junior setter Vera Giacomazzi, senior outside hitter Lizzie Stephens and junior middle blocker Tia Jimerson – were named to the Preseason All-MAC East team.
SCOUTING BALL STATE
- The Ball State women's volleyball program opens its 48th season of competition with a 1-1 showing at its annual Ball State Tournament. In the tournament, the Cardinals swept UAB before falling to USF, 3-2.
- Ball State concluded 2018 with a 22-10 (12-4 MAC) record, marking its 26th season with at least 20 wins.
- In 2018, Ball State also made its ninth postseason appearance with a bid to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) after falling to Miami (Ohio) in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament. In the NIVC, the Cardinals fell to Valparaiso in the opening round, 3-1.
- The 2019 Ball State roster features four seniors and eight returning letterwinners, including four starters and the libero, from last season's squad.
- Ball State head coach Kelli Miller Phillips returns home to Holloway after a standout career at Purdue from 2005-08. A libero for the Boilermakers, Phillips finished her career as the program's all-time leader in digs (2,013) and digs-per-set average (4.05). A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Phillips helped guide the Boilermakers to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including three trips to the NCAA Regional semifinals.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook.com/purduevb
Twitter: @purduevb
Instagram: @purduevb
The Boilermakers first face off against the Bobcats on Sunday, Sept. 1, before challenging the Cardinals on Tuesday, Sept. 3. The matches are slated to start at 2 p.m. ET and 7 p.m., respectively.
PROMOTIONSWe will see you in Holloway Gymnasium tomorrow!
— Purdue Volleyball (@PurdueVB) August 31, 2019
?? Ohio | ?? 2 PM
Tickets start at just $5!
??? https://t.co/ABUNJrc7fz pic.twitter.com/uy98mXXyMi
It's a Holloway welcome back party! Students are welcomed to a Block Party Tailgate with free pizza and drinks, tailgate games, music, and Block Party t-shirt pick-ups! All Boilermaker Kids Club members can also choose to claim two free tickets to the match, while all fans can pick up a free Purdue volleyball schedule magnet.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
In an effort to provide a safer environment and to expedite fan entry, Purdue Athletics will implement a clear bag policy for all volleyball matches at Holloway Gymnasium during the 2019-20 seasons.
Fans are encouraged not to bring any type of bags to games, and only the following are permissible:
- One bag that is clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and does not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches
- One one-gallon clear plastic bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
- Also permissible is one small clutch bag (no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches) - approximately the size of a hand - with or without a handle or strap.
?? GAMEDAY CHANGES! ??
— Purdue Volleyball (@PurdueVB) August 2, 2019
Holloway Gymnasium is officially moving to a clear bag policy.
Need more info?
?? https://t.co/kYynUuwNGU pic.twitter.com/HrZzSCcBIw
PURDUE VS. OHIO
Sunday, September 1 | 2 p.m. ET
Watch | Listen | Live Stats
PURDUE VS. BALL STATE
Tuesday, September 3 | 7 p.m. ET
Watch | Listen | Live Stats
QUICK HITS
- The 2019 season marks the 44th year of Purdue volleyball.
- Purdue was picked to finish sixth in the Big Ten in the conference's preseason poll.
- Purdue's 2019 schedule boasts 13 contests against opponents that earned bids to the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Those opponents include Eastern Michigan, Illinois (NCAA semifinalist), Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Minnesota, Murray State, Nebraska (NCAA Championship runner up), Penn State (NCAA semifinalist) and Wisconsin (NCAA semifinalist)
- Head coach Dave Shondell stands at 348-184 in his 17th season in West Lafayette. He is joined by assistant coaches John Shondell and Kathy Jewell, who also enter their 17th season with the Boilermakers.
- The Boilermaker roster features a pair of redshirt seniors, two juniors, six sophomores and six freshmen.
- Preseason All-Big Ten selection Blake Mohler returns after a strong junior season. In 2018, Mohler guided Purdue's defensive efforts at the net with 1.08 stuffs per set, while also sitting sixth in the Big Ten with a team-best 0.358 hitting percentage. Her 140 total blocks rank sixth in the league and 43rd in the NCAA. In conference action, she ranked among the top-15 blockers with 0.95 stuffs per set average and was 10th with a .321 attack clip. A returning starter for Purdue, Mohler also ranked third on the team with 316 kills for a 2.43 kills per set average while adding 46 digs, 10 assists and one service ace on the season.
- The 2019 Purdue volleyball team welcomes six freshmen to Holloway in Maddy Chinn, Emma Ellis, Madeline Koch, Megan Renner, Maddie Schermerhorn and Ava Torrance. Together the incoming group was ranked the 8th-best recruiting class in the nation by PrepVolleyball.
SERIES HISTORY
The Boilermakers are 26-4 all-time against this week's field:
vs. Ohio: 5-0
vs. Ball State: 21-4
SCOUTING OHIO
- The Ohio Bobcats are coming off a 13-18 season in 2018, including a 7-9 mark in the Mid-American Conference.
- Ohio opened 2019 with a pair of losses to Fresno State (3-1) and Wisconsin – Green Bay (3-1) at the Green Bay Invite.
- Deane Webb enters his sixth season as the Ohio volleyball head coach. In his five seasons, the Bobcats have gone 93-58, including a 57-23 showing in conference play.
- Ohio won a MAC regular season title with a perfect 16-0 (1.000) league year in 2014, then captured the conference tournament title in 2015, the latter of which propelled the 'Cats to their 10th NCAA Championship appearance in program history.
- This season Ohio was picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference East Division. The Bobcats received one first place vote.
- Three players – junior setter Vera Giacomazzi, senior outside hitter Lizzie Stephens and junior middle blocker Tia Jimerson – were named to the Preseason All-MAC East team.
SCOUTING BALL STATE
- The Ball State women's volleyball program opens its 48th season of competition with a 1-1 showing at its annual Ball State Tournament. In the tournament, the Cardinals swept UAB before falling to USF, 3-2.
- Ball State concluded 2018 with a 22-10 (12-4 MAC) record, marking its 26th season with at least 20 wins.
- In 2018, Ball State also made its ninth postseason appearance with a bid to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) after falling to Miami (Ohio) in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament. In the NIVC, the Cardinals fell to Valparaiso in the opening round, 3-1.
- The 2019 Ball State roster features four seniors and eight returning letterwinners, including four starters and the libero, from last season's squad.
- Ball State head coach Kelli Miller Phillips returns home to Holloway after a standout career at Purdue from 2005-08. A libero for the Boilermakers, Phillips finished her career as the program's all-time leader in digs (2,013) and digs-per-set average (4.05). A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Phillips helped guide the Boilermakers to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including three trips to the NCAA Regional semifinals.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook.com/purduevb
Twitter: @purduevb
Instagram: @purduevb