Indiana Volleyball has been steamrolling opponents in 2025, and the Hoosiers don’t look ready to slow down anytime soon. After sweeping through the Rambler Invitational with three straight wins, IU now sits at 8-0 on the season — its best start in years — and is beginning to draw national attention.
Though still unranked, the Hoosiers are receiving votes in the latest poll (Sept. 8) and could very well crack the Top 25 if they keep stacking up performances like this.
The weekend began with a statement victory over Bowling Green on Thursday, September 11. The Falcons entered with a 2-4 record, but Indiana wasted no time asserting control, rolling to a clean sweep (25-21, 25-19, 25-19). The match was defined by a dominant Hoosier defense at the net, anchored by sophomore middle blocker Ella Boersema. Boersema put up a career-high 10 blocks — part of Indiana’s 17 total, the program’s most in a three-set match since 2010 against Wisconsin (17.5).
While the block party stole the spotlight, the Hoosiers’ attack was just as sharp. Three players finished with double-digit kills: senior outside hitters Candela Alonso-Corcelles and Avry Tatum (11 apiece) alongside freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager (10). Freshman setter Teodora Kričković ran the offense with poise, racking up 32 assists and keeping Bowling Green’s defense guessing. Indiana’s efficiency was the difference, hitting .316 as a team while limiting itself to just nine attack errors compared to the Falcons’ 24.
Friday night brought a tougher test as the Hoosiers squared off with Loyola Chicago, who entered the match at 3-4. For just the second time this season, Indiana dropped a set — the first since its five-set opener against Miami. This time, though, the Hoosiers quickly regained control, dispatching the Ramblers in four (25-15, 25-19, 19-25, 25-16).
Unlike Thursday’s sweep of Bowling Green, Friday’s win was defined by balance across the front line. All five of IU’s primary attackers registered at least seven kills, showcasing the team’s offensive depth. Candela Alonso-Corcelles led the charge with 17 kills, while Avry Tatum followed close behind with 15 on an impressive .500 hitting clip. Freshman setter Teodora Kričković, settling into her first collegiate season, orchestrated it all with a career-high 47 assists.
Defensively, freshman libero Audrey Jackson stepped up, tying her career high with 14 digs to keep Loyola’s hitters in check. Indiana also turned in a strong serving performance, led by graduate outside hitter Jessica Smith with three aces, while Alonso-Corcelles and Jager added two each to keep the Ramblers on their heels.
Indiana closed out the Invitational in style on Saturday with a dominant sweep of Stephen F. Austin, who entered at 4-3. The Hoosiers set the tone early and never let the Ladyjacks breathe, racing through three sets (25-15, 25-14, 25-16) in under 90 minutes.
Sophomore Ella Boersema once again led the charge at the net with nine blocks, capping a stellar weekend. Senior middle blocker Madi Sell added seven kills on a .600 hitting percentage to go along with five blocks and two digs. Avry Tatum powered the attack with nine kills on .583 hitting, while Indiana’s overall efficiency stood out once more. The Hoosiers committed just seven attack errors — their fourth match this season with fewer than 10.
Saturday’s win also marked a milestone for head coach Steve Aird. For the first time since taking over in 2018, Aird has the Hoosiers off to an 8-0 start. Following Saturday’s win, Aird took to twitter to praise his squad.
With their undefeated run intact, Indiana now stands as one of just three unbeaten Big Ten teams, alongside Nebraska and Michigan State. The Hoosiers will look to keep the momentum rolling next weekend at the Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where they face Western Kentucky (Friday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m.) and Bradley (Saturday, Sept. 20 at noon). Big Ten play begins Wednesday, Sept. 24, with a road test against Northwestern.