OMAHA, Neb. – In the second round of the NCAA tournament, the No. 7 seeded and 9th nationally-ranked Purdue Boilermakers (15-6) notched its 15th win of the year with its sweep over previously undefeated High Point (16-1) to advance to the Regional Semifinals (26-24, 25-18, 25-19).
After a first set comeback where the Boilermakers fended off High Point's set point by going on an 8-0 run for the come-from-behind win. The Boilermakers used the momentum generated in the run to fuel the remainder of the match.
Senior Caitlyn Newton carried the Boilermakers to advancement in her most efficient match of 2021. The first team All-Big Ten and AVCA Northeast All-Region honoree downed 18 kills with just seven errors on 35 swings for a .314 attack % to go alongside three aces and a trio of digs in the match. Meanwhile, setter Hayley Bush recorded her 13th double-double of the season with 40 assists and 10 digs.
Defensively, Taylor Trammell led the block with seven assisted, just two shy of the Boilermaker NCAA tournament record.
No. 7 seeded Purdue will face No. 10 seeded and 16th nationally-ranked Oregon in the round of 16 on Sunday. The match is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU. General public fans will not be admitted to NCAA tournament matches until the Regional Finals, taking place on Monday, April 19.
It is the second consecutive year and the ninth time under head coach Dave Shondell the Boilermakers have advanced to the Regional Semifinals.
Set One | 26-24
The match saw six tied scores and three lead changes, most notably during the final stretch. Despite the Panthers with a 24-18 advantage, the Boilermakers silenced High Point on its set point, taking eight consecutive points, with Grace Cleveland securing the set win with the final four points (three kills and a block assist with Trammell).
Set Two | 25-18
Leading the entirety of the match, four Boilermakers hit over .400 in the set: Emma Ellis (3-0-3, 1.00%), Trammell (4-0-5, .800%), Newton (8-2-15, .400%) and Bush (1-0-2, .500%). The Boilermakers shot out to an early 10-5 lead, then as High Point began to find its rhythm with a 3-1 run, Newton recorded four kills to extend the Boilermaker lead to 14-8, which Purdue ran with and never looked back.
Set Three | 25-19
Purdue maintained the lead the entire set. Despite High Point cutting the lead to one at 10-9, a kill by Cleveland then a block assist by Newton and Trammell swung the momentum back in the Boilermakers' favor. Newton recorded back-to-back aces to extend Purdue's lead 19-12 then scored the final five points
After a first set comeback where the Boilermakers fended off High Point's set point by going on an 8-0 run for the come-from-behind win. The Boilermakers used the momentum generated in the run to fuel the remainder of the match.
Senior Caitlyn Newton carried the Boilermakers to advancement in her most efficient match of 2021. The first team All-Big Ten and AVCA Northeast All-Region honoree downed 18 kills with just seven errors on 35 swings for a .314 attack % to go alongside three aces and a trio of digs in the match. Meanwhile, setter Hayley Bush recorded her 13th double-double of the season with 40 assists and 10 digs.
Defensively, Taylor Trammell led the block with seven assisted, just two shy of the Boilermaker NCAA tournament record.
No. 7 seeded Purdue will face No. 10 seeded and 16th nationally-ranked Oregon in the round of 16 on Sunday. The match is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU. General public fans will not be admitted to NCAA tournament matches until the Regional Finals, taking place on Monday, April 19.
It is the second consecutive year and the ninth time under head coach Dave Shondell the Boilermakers have advanced to the Regional Semifinals.
Set One | 26-24
The match saw six tied scores and three lead changes, most notably during the final stretch. Despite the Panthers with a 24-18 advantage, the Boilermakers silenced High Point on its set point, taking eight consecutive points, with Grace Cleveland securing the set win with the final four points (three kills and a block assist with Trammell).
Set Two | 25-18
Leading the entirety of the match, four Boilermakers hit over .400 in the set: Emma Ellis (3-0-3, 1.00%), Trammell (4-0-5, .800%), Newton (8-2-15, .400%) and Bush (1-0-2, .500%). The Boilermakers shot out to an early 10-5 lead, then as High Point began to find its rhythm with a 3-1 run, Newton recorded four kills to extend the Boilermaker lead to 14-8, which Purdue ran with and never looked back.
Set Three | 25-19
Purdue maintained the lead the entire set. Despite High Point cutting the lead to one at 10-9, a kill by Cleveland then a block assist by Newton and Trammell swung the momentum back in the Boilermakers' favor. Newton recorded back-to-back aces to extend Purdue's lead 19-12 then scored the final five points