Big Ten Volleyball has another packed weekend. With the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament just over a month away, every set and rotation will be under a microscope. From Indiana’s road trip to the Purdue vs. Nebraska matchup, here’s a complete weekend guide.
Illini Get Weekend Started With Big Win
There were only three games on Thursday night, and the biggest result came in Champaign, where Illinois defeated No. 22 Michigan State in four sets to improve to 4-3 in conference play — with all four wins coming over ranked opponents.
Freshman outside hitter Madi Miles led the team with a career-high 15 kills while hitting .303 on the night, and Alyssa Aguayo had eight kills to go along with 11 digs and an ace.
After Michigan State took the third set to make it 2-1 then opened the fourth with five straight points, Illinois responded, rallying to take its first lead at 16-15. Then, with the score tied at 20, a 3-1 run, followed by a kill and an ace, secured the big win. More here.
Thursday’s games lead us into an action-packed weekend featuring multiple ranked matchups.
Hoosiers Head West for Two Top-20 Battles
No. 18 Indiana suffered two tough losses to No. 1 Nebraska and USC last week, but the Hoosiers have a chance to bounce back on the Pacific Coast. First, Indiana faces No. 11 Oregon on Friday (9 p.m. ET, B1G+) followed by No. 20 Washington on Sunday (5 p.m. ET, B1G+).
The Ducks enter as one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten, riding a five-match win streak (and nine in their last 10) and are tied for second place in the conference standings. Indiana will have to deal with Oregon’s lethal trio of Valentina Vaulet, Alanah Clemente and Sjakkie Donkers, who have generated 12 kills per set combined to lead a dynamic Ducks attack. If Oregon wins, it’d also improve to 3-0 in the Discover In-Season Volleyball Challenge.
The Hoosiers need their attack to rebound in a big way after being on the wrong side of sweeps. Whether it’s Jaidyn Jager, who leads the team with 228 points, or Ella Boersema, who has eight or more kills in six out of the last seven games, Indiana will need to turn defense into offense to hand Oregon its first home loss of the season.
Then, Indiana finishes the weekend against No. 20 Washington. The Hoosiers will have to find solutions against a Washington defense that is second in the Big Ten, holding their opponents to a .150 hitting percentage. First-year libero Kaitlyn Nguyen has double-digit digs in 12 out of 15 matches and has over 200 on the season. Simona Mateska leads the offense with 211 points and 180 kills so far.
Facing a Washington squad defined by sharp defense, Indiana’s success hinges on offensive runs — and whether Jager and Boersema can deliver in tight sets to cap a massive West Coast swing.
Top-ranked Huskers Host Boilermakers in Lincoln
No. 1 Nebraska welcomes in a top-15 opponent to the Bob Devaney Sports Center for the second straight week when No. 13 Purdue comes to town (Saturday at 5 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network).
The 18-0 Huskers enter as the gold standard of collegiate volleyball. Nebraska leads the nation in team hitting percentage (.328) while holding opponents to a .101 mark – also best in the country. Powered by All-American setter Bergen Reilly, who is fourth in the nation with 11.15 assists per set, the Huskers feature an embarrassment of riches, including Andi Jackson and reigning Big Ten Co-Player of the Week Harper Murray.
When any team plays Nebraska, it needs standout performances, and Purdue will count on Addy Tindall to provide it. Tindall leads the Boilermakers in points per set (4.20) and kills per set (3.88). Tindall will need to step up, but she can’t do it alone — expect Lameen Mambu and Grace Heaney to be constant features on offense.
Saturday will once again provide fireworks in Lincoln. Will the Huskers continue rolling and pick up their fourth ranked win of conference play, or will the Boilermakers provide the biggest upset of conference play?
There are a few more weekend matchups to keep an eye on. This includes Penn State, who has risen to No. 15 in the AVCA Poll after three straight wins and now travels west to face UCLA and USC in back-to-back days. The Nittany Lions and Bruins are both 2-0 in the Discover In-Season Volleyball Challenge.
Check out the complete schedule and standings as volleyball reaches crunch time.