It was a packed weekend in Bloomington for IU athletics. Big Noon Kickoff rolled into town for Indiana football’s clash with UCLA, the IU men’s basketball team tipped off an exhibition against Baylor in Indianapolis, and women’s basketball took the court Monday for their own exhibition game. Meanwhile, Indiana volleyball faced a demanding Big Ten stretch, hosting No. 20 Minnesota on Friday before a Sunday rematch with Northwestern.
The Hoosiers opened their weekend against the ranked Golden Gophers, looking to make a statement — but Minnesota came out firing and never quite let up. After a hot start from the Gophers, Indiana fought back to take the third set and spark some late-match momentum, yet Minnesota ultimately closed out the 3–1 victory (25–19, 25–19, 18–25, 25–19).
Minnesota’s offense wasted no time asserting control, hitting over .400 for the night. Veteran outside hitter Julia Hanson led the charge with 17 kills, while all five of the Gophers’ primary attackers recorded at least eight kills apiece. Both teams landed 10 aces, but Minnesota’s consistent rhythm in serve-receive and passing gave them the upper hand.
Indiana, despite the loss, showed flashes of promise. The Hoosiers tallied just 15 attacking errors and posted a strong .286 hitting percentage. Senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles paced the offense with 15 kills, while senior opposite Avry Tatum followed close behind with 12.
Freshman setter Teodora Kričković continues to impress — notching her seventh career match with at least 40 assists. Her court vision and poise are beyond her years, and she currently ranks sixth in the nation in assists per set (10.79) — the only freshman among a field of upperclassmen. Graduate student outside hitter Jessica Smith also shined, turning in one of her best all-around performances in an IU uniform. The former UCLA beach volleyball standout racked up a career-high 13 digs, along with two assists and a kill, showcasing her adaptability and grit on the indoor stage.
Indiana’s blocking game couldn’t quite find its rhythm Friday night against the Gophers, though Alonso-Corcelles stood out as a bright spot, factoring into all three of the Hoosiers’ blocks. The loss marked Indiana’s third setback in Big Ten play and highlighted a lingering trend — when opponents take more than two sets, the Hoosiers are 1–4 this season. Their lone comeback win in that scenario came in the opener against Miami, when they rallied from a 2–0 deficit to take the match.
After Friday’s disappointment, Indiana didn’t have far to travel. The Hoosiers stayed home in Bloomington to host Northwestern on Sunday (Oct. 26) for the second and final meeting between the two squads this season. When the teams last faced off on Sept. 24, Indiana claimed a four-set victory in Evanston to open Big Ten play — and this time, the Hoosiers picked up right where they left off.
On Sunday afternoon, Indiana looked sharp, confident, and fully in control, sweeping the Wildcats in straight sets (25–17, 25–21, 26–24). The victory pushed IU’s record to 16–4 overall and 7–3 in Big Ten play — the best 10-match start to conference competition in program history. The Hoosiers’ offense was balanced and efficient, racking up 44 kills and just nine attacking errors for a .361 hitting percentage. Alonso-Corcelles once again led the way with 16 kills, while all three pin hitters finished with nine or more.
Freshman setter Teodora Kričković orchestrated the attack with veteran poise, collecting her fourth collegiate double-double with 37 assists and 11 digs. Her ball distribution kept Northwestern’s defense guessing, while the Hoosiers’ aggressive serving applied constant pressure. Indiana tallied seven aces from five different players. Senior opposite Avry Tatum turned in a near-flawless performance, hitting .471 with nine kills and just one error — a rare miscue on a tipped ball into the net. Tatum continues to anchor this young squad, averaging .358 hitting and 3.33 kills per set, providing the consistency and leadership that fuel Indiana’s rise.
Indiana’s defense also stepped up in Sunday’s sweep, showing noticeable improvement from Friday’s loss to Minnesota. The Hoosiers tallied seven blocks and 37 digs, tightening up their back-row play and putting together one of their more complete defensive performances of the season. On the other side of the net, Northwestern’s freshman outside hitter Isabella Bullington did everything she could to keep the Wildcats in contention, racking up an impressive 18 kills in the effort.
With the win, Indiana capped its best 10-match start to Big Ten play in program history — a milestone that reflects the growth and promise of this young roster. Still, Friday’s loss to No. 20 Minnesota served as a valuable reminder. The Hoosiers are 2–3 this season when dropping the opening set, with their last two comeback victories coming in early October against the ranked Big Ten Los Angeles schools — a stretch that helped launch them into the AVCA Top 25. For a team accustomed to dictating tempo and playing from ahead, learning how to battle back from early deficits will be key to sustaining their success down the stretch.
Sunday’s win over Northwestern also marked Indiana’s final home match of October. Next up, the Hoosiers hit the road for a critical East Coast swing — joining the football team in traveling to Maryland. They’ll face the Terrapins on Friday (Oct. 31) at 7 p.m. ET before squaring off in a ranked showdown against No. 19 Penn State on Sunday. With momentum regained and lessons learned, Indiana will look to keep building on what’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons in program history.