Indiana Volleyball Ready For Challenging Non-Conference Slate as They Face No. 7 Louisville to Start 2026

The 16th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers begin their 2026 journey on Friday night as they take on the No. 7 Louisville Cardinals (1-1). The game marks the first of many challenging non-conference opponents for head coach Steve Aird’s squad this season.

Expectations are high for the Hoosiers who are coming off a Sweet 16 appearance a season ago and Aird believes his team is ready for the challenging schedule.

“We want to play the best. We want to challenge ourselves. I don’t want to have an incredible preseason record-wise, but not be ready for the Big 10 and how tough that is.” Aird told Hoosier Huddle in a preseason interview. “I think I’ve scheduled as hard as maybe has ever been scheduled for Indiana volleyball. I think I’ve got a team to be able to compete in it.”

The Cardinals started their season last week in AVCA First Serve event, and the Cardinals split a pair of matches with a win over No. 8 Texas A&M and a loss to No. 6 Wisconsin in straight sets. They are also coming off a Sweet 16 season in 2025.

For Aird and the Hoosiers, there is no backing down from a challenge, even if it means taking a few lumps along the way.

“If you can come out of the preseason .500-ish, your RPI is through the roof, and you’re kind of putting yourself in a position to not only be tested but be able to play in the postseason,” Aird said.

Beyond Louisville, Indiana’s non-conference schedule features matchups against No. 22 Tennessee (in Nashville), Georgia, No. 8 Texas A&M and North Carolina State. Indiana’s Big Ten schedule features another seven ranked foes.

Game Information vs. Louisville

#16 Indiana (0-0) at #7 Louisville (1-1)
Friday, August 28th | 7 p.m. ET | L&N Federal Credit Union Arena (Louisville, Ky.)
TV: ACCNX (Noah Frary & Molly Alvey)
Live Video | Live Stats

Quick Hitters from IUHoosiers.com

EARLY TEST: IU’s match at #7 Louisville is the third season opener against a ranked opponent in program history. The Hoosiers also took on #24 Long Beach State (2008) and #5 Nebraska (2020-21) to kick off a new campaign. IU is 2-4 against ranked non-conference opponents under head coach Steve Aird.
 
ACC FAMILIARITY: Although IU and Louisville haven’t played since 2008, the Hoosiers have played ACC opponents with great regularity in the last decade. Of the current programs in the league, this will be the sixth team (Miami (Fla.), NC State, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and SMU) that IU will play under head coach Steve Aird.
 
STELLAR SOPHOMORES: All six members of IU’s second-year class played in at least 24 games last year and return to form a deep core. That includes outside hitter Jaidyn Jager, setter Teodora Krickovic and defensive specialist Audrey Jackson who played in each of IU’s 33 contests in 2025.
 
BOERSEMA IS BACK: Head coach Steve Aird is boosted by the return of third-year middle blocker Ella Boersema. She suffered a season-ending injury last October after averaging 1.76 kills per set and 1.40 blocks per set in her first 14 games. She can play on the right side as well for the Hoosiers.
 
LETHAL OFFENSE: IU will look to replicate what was a record-breaking offensive season in 2025. The Hoosiers hit .281 on the year including 15 matches with a hitting percentage better than .300. Second-year setter Teodora Krickovic dished out 10.73 assists per set last year and will be surrounded by big hitters once again.
 
BIG GAME J: Second-year outside hitter Jaidyn Jager was one of the most prolific scorers in the league last year. She has the sixth most kills (383) of any returning Big Ten player from a year ago. Jager had at least 10 kills in 23 matches last season, including 15 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Colorado.
 
TOUGH SERVING: IU has been one of the best serving teams in the country over the last four years under head coach Steve Aird. The Hoosiers had 192 aces last season including 11 matches of eight-or-more aces. Three different returning players (Jager, Freeman, Krickovic) provided at least 25 aces a year ago.
 
NEW ADDITIONS: Fifth-year middle blocker Kiki Granberry and third-year outside hitter Izzy Clark add veteran experience to an already talented roster. The two transfers bring over 1,200 kills and 400 blocks to Bloomington with 6 years of combined experience. They have both played in the NCAA Tournament as well.
 
ON THE ROAD: Head coach Steve Aird has more ranked road wins (6) than any other coach in program history. That includes a trio of conference victories over ranked teams in 2025. He will have the chance to add to that tally with an early top-10 test against Louisville on Friday evening.
 
TOUGH AND TOGETHER: IU’s team has spent most of the calendar year together after playing the full spring season and taking a foreign tour (Istanbul, Madrid, Lisbon) in May. The Hoosiers won all 24 sets they played in six matches in Europe. 16 of IU’s players were present on the foreign tour.