The Indiana University volleyball team is red-hot and showing no signs of cooling down. After a tough loss to No. 20 Minnesota last weekend, the Hoosiers bounced back with purpose, determined to prove their legitimacy as one of the Big Ten’s most dangerous squads. They responded in emphatic fashion — sweeping Northwestern 3-0 to secure the best 10-game start to conference play in program history (7-3 B1G).
But Indiana wasn’t done making noise. Over the weekend, the Hoosiers took their dominance on the road to the East Coast, where they swept both Maryland and No. 19 Penn State — their second Top 20 victory of the season (the first coming earlier at No. 17 USC). It was a statement stretch that underscored just how complete and confident this team has become.
The trip began Friday night (Oct. 31) in College Park, Maryland, just a day before Indiana Football’s own commanding win over the Terrapins. The Hoosiers fell behind early in the first set, trailing by seven, but quickly flipped the momentum and never looked back, storming to a decisive 3-0 victory (25–19, 25–15, 25–12).
Indiana’s serving game was the spark that broke Maryland’s rhythm and set the tone for the night. The Hoosiers racked up 10 aces — their third double-digit ace performance this season — led by graduate outside hitter Jessica Smith, who tallied six. Her serving masterclass etched her name into the record books as just the seventh player in program history to notch six aces in a single match.
Complementing their dominance from the service line was an explosive offensive attack that left Maryland scrambling. Indiana hit an impressive .344 as a team, fueled by senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles, who delivered 17 kills on a blistering .419 hitting percentage. Freshman phenom Jaidyn Jager added 10 kills, while fellow freshman Teodora Kričković ran the offense seamlessly with 33 assists.
Freshman middle blocker Victoria Gray also turned heads with an outstanding all-around performance, posting nine kills at a .571 clip. Defensively, she matched her career high with seven blocks and set a new personal best with four digs. The Hoosiers’ backcourt was equally relentless, collecting 45 total digs to neutralize Maryland’s attack — with Jager leading the way with a career-high 13.
After taking care of business in College Park, the Hoosiers headed north to University Park, Pennsylvania, for a Sunday showdown with No. 19 Penn State — and they did not disappoint. Indiana poured its heart, hustle, and precision into every rally, stunning the Nittany Lions with a commanding 3-0 sweep (25–22, 25–15, 25–23). The victory wasn’t just another win — it was historic. For the first time in the 51-year history of IU volleyball, the Hoosiers defeated Penn State on their home court in Happy Valley.
Fueled by confidence and chemistry, the Indiana offense once again came alive. Senior opposite Avry Tatum and freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager spearheaded the attack with 14 kills apiece, consistently breaking through Penn State’s defense. Running the show was freshman setter Teodora Kričković, who continued her stellar weekend with another 33 assists, orchestrating an offense that simply couldn’t be contained.
Indiana also found success from the service line — an area that has become a quiet weapon for this squad. While Penn State faltered with 12 service errors, the Hoosiers remained composed, firing off six aces of their own with only four miscues. Their efficiency and poise from the line kept the Nittany Lions off balance all afternoon.
Defensively, Indiana’s backcourt grit sealed the deal. Jager capped her remarkable weekend with 12 digs to go along with her 14 kills, notching her fourth career double-double. She continues to shine as one of the Big Ten’s most exciting freshmen, showcasing both power and precision every time she steps on the floor. Freshman libero Avery Freeman also delivered a breakout performance, tallying a career-best 10 digs and an ace, anchoring the back row with composure beyond her years.
Once again, the Hoosiers tallied 45 total digs — matching their defensive effort from Friday — while adding four key blocks to stifle Penn State’s offensive rhythm. It was a complete team performance, marked by confidence, communication, and a clear sense that this Indiana team is not just good — they’re rewriting the program’s history.
Head Coach Steve Aird’s return to University Park carried a deeper meaning than the final score. Aird — who played for Penn State men’s volleyball in the late 1990s and early 2000s — was understandably moved after watching his team close out the sweep. Later that afternoon he posted a heartfelt message on X:
“Volleyball is a game. Penn State made me. We lost my freshman roommate [George Papadakis] a few months ago and I hope this reminds everyone to hug your people. Teams are special. We ‘get to’ do hard things together. Being back on campus makes you feel 18 again.”
Those words resonated beyond sport. Competing on the campus where he forged lifelong friendships — including with his late roommate & teammate George Papadakis — made the win both triumphant and bittersweet. Aird’s reaction felt less like self-congratulation and more like a reminder about the bonds and memories that define a team.
On the court, the result added real historical weight to Indiana’s season. The victory in Happy Valley helped push the Hoosiers to their eighth road win and third top-25 road victory of the year — both single-season program records — and marked the program’s first road sweep of a ranked opponent since 1986. Those milestones underscore how far this group has come under Aird’s leadership.
With momentum and confidence on their side, the Hoosiers return to Bloomington to rest and reset before hosting the Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. EST. This weekend showed that Indiana volleyball is not only winning — they’re building something lasting: a team that fights together, remembers together, and keeps raising the program’s bar.