Thursday night brought one of college athletics’ fiercest in-state rivalries to center stage as No. 22 Indiana clashed with No. 12 Purdue in the annual Battle for the Monon Spike. With both programs off to electric starts this season, the showdown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis was every bit the must-watch matchup fans anticipated.
Indiana entered the night eager to reclaim momentum after a red-hot start to Big Ten play that saw the Hoosiers win their first five conference matches. But following a setback against Michigan State, they were looking to rediscover that early-season rhythm against their in-state rival.
In front of a raucous crowd of more than 6,400 fans, the Hoosiers battled hard but couldn’t complete the comeback, falling to the Boilermakers in four sets (25–19, 17–25, 25–20, 25–21).
Offensively, Indiana showed flashes of its potential, finishing with a .262 hitting percentage and 55 kills across the match. Their attack came alive in the second set, swinging above .350 to even the score, but Purdue’s relentless serving and defensive pressure ultimately shifted the momentum back in the Boilermakers’ favor.
Indiana’s attack was powered by veteran opposite hitter Avry Tatum, who led the team with 15 kills and continued to be a steady presence for a young, developing roster. Freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager once again impressed, notching 14 kills and showcasing her poise under pressure. Another standout performance came from freshman middle blocker Victoria Gray, who delivered a career night with 10 kills on an outstanding .643 hitting percentage, providing an efficient spark in the middle.
Defensively, the Hoosiers proved their grit by out-digging Purdue 50–40, but struggles in serve-receive proved costly down the stretch. Purdue’s serving specialist Sienna Foster swung the momentum with a string of timely serves that tested Indiana’s back row. The Hoosiers’ rhythm was further disrupted after sophomore middle blocker Ella Boersema exited with an injury in the second set, leaving a noticeable gap at the net. From that point on, IU’s block lost some of its edge, finishing with just six team blocks—Gray leading the way with three.
Senior middle blocker Madi Sell added five kills, while Boersema tallied three before her early departure. Freshman setter Teodora Kričković continued to shine as the team’s offensive engine, matching her career high with 49 assists, once again proving her importance in orchestrating the Hoosier attack.
While Thursday’s loss was disappointing, there are plenty of positives to take away. First, this Indiana team remains loaded with young talent that’s continuing to grow with every match. The Hoosiers went toe-to-toe with a top-15 opponent and showed they can compete at that level (especially prior to Boersema’s injury). Second, despite Purdue sitting 10 spots higher in the rankings, this marked the first of IU’s three losses this season in which the Hoosiers secured a set—a clear sign of progress.
This group is far from reaching its ceiling. With a roster built around promising underclassmen and veteran leadership, Indiana’s future looks increasingly bright. Most of these players will return over the next few seasons, giving the Hoosiers time to evolve into a Big Ten contender built on experience, chemistry, and composure.
Indiana now sits at 14–3 (5–2 Big Ten) and will have a quick turnaround before returning home to Wilkinson Hall for a Sunday matchup against Ohio State (Oct. 19). The noon start marks the first of a three-match homestand, giving Hoosier fans plenty of opportunities to rally behind a team that’s still on the rise. Those unable to attend can catch the action live on the Big Ten Network.