Six wins over higher-ranked opponents, a third-place finish in the Big Ten standings and a trip to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. That’s what Purdue accomplished last season with a younger, less experienced team, so it’s easy to understand why coach Dave Shondell and the Boilermakers are heading into 2024 with high expectations.
Last year, Purdue’s roster consisted of 11 freshmen and just three seniors. Still, the Boilers proved to be one of the top teams in the Big Ten, finishing the season with a 23-9 overall record and a 15-5 record in the conference.
With so much talent and experience returning this season, Purdue is expected to be in the race for the Big Ten regular season title.
“We have a much more experienced team. Last year we were one of the younger teams in America, but they competed extremely hard so we had a really good year,” Shondell said. “We need to build on what we learned last year with a lot of the same players.”
The players Shondell is referring to include three first-team All-Big Ten selections: outside hitter Eva Hudson, outside hitter Chloe Chicoine and middle blocker Raven Colvin. They also include Big Ten All-Freshman setter Taylor Anderson and redshirt senior Lourdes Myers.
This core group has proven it can compete with – and beat – the best teams in the country. Last season, Purdue beat a top-ranked Penn State team 2-0, defeated No. 3 Wisconsin at Holloway Gymnasium and became the first team to force No. 2 Nebraska in five sets.
After last year’s success, Shondell firmly believes his team can be one of the best in the country, but he also knows the Boilers will have to make some significant improvements if they want to dethrone Nebraska and finish the year atop the conference standings.
“The wins and hard-fought matches against the best in the league – and realistically the best in the country – were encouraging and testament to our talent level,” Shondell said. “But the losses to Northwestern and Loyola earlier in the season signal that we need to improve significantly to win a title. Our focus is on building a competitive toughness that will be unmatched in college volleyball.”
Shondell, who is entering his 22nd season as coach at Purdue, has led the program to incredible success. The Boilermakers have a record of 458-226 with 18 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Purdue’s program has performed at a high level over the past two decades, but is still waiting for its first Big Ten title since 1985. And in a league as talented as the Big Ten – made even stronger by new additions Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington – conference championships don’t come cheap.
When Shondell was asked what areas the Boilers need to improve in the most to compete with Nebraska, Wisconsin and others for the conference title, he responded with a detailed list.
“Improve attacking all sets with greater efficiency behind the setter to balance our overall offense. Improve individual defense to never have a weak defender on the court at any time,” he said. “Serve the ball more aggressively, with more pace and purpose. The connection between setter and hitter needs to continue to improve with increasing experience.”
“We need a high level of commitment from every player to invest the time – no matter what that means – to be the best version of themselves.”
The list may seem long, but that’s what it takes to win the Big Ten regular-season crown. Last season, five teams from the conference — Minnesota, Nebraska, Purdue, Penn State and Wisconsin — all made the NCAA Tournament. Conference newcomers Oregon and USC also made the field.
All seven teams won at least one game in the postseason. Oregon knocked out Purdue in the third round. Nebraska and Wisconsin reached the Final Four, while the Huskers played in the National Championship Game.
Even though last year’s team returns all of its talent and experience, getting through the Big Ten season will be an uphill battle. It always is. But Shondell is confident his team is up to the challenge and can bring a conference title back to West Lafayette for the first time in nearly 40 years.
“I think we’re going to be very competitive,” Shondell said. “I think we could be one of the top five teams in the country, in my opinion.”
SHONDELL, BOILERS EXCITED BY MACKEY: Purdue will play two volleyball games at Mackey Arena this season, and coach Dave Shondell is confident the Boilermakers can fill the legendary arena. CLICK HERE
PURDUE VOLLEYBALL ON TV: Fans can watch nearly a dozen Purdue volleyball games on television this year, with the Boilers playing ten games on the Big Ten Network and one on NBC. CLICK HERE
PURDUE VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE 2024: Purdue begins the 2024 volleyball regular season on Friday, August 30, with the Stacey Clark Classic and will conclude it with a road trip to the West Coast to play Big Ten newcomers Oregon and Washington on Thanksgiving weekend. CLICK HERE
