Will Purdue’s volleyball team have its best player when it opens the much-anticipated regular season on Friday?
That’s the major question facing the ninth-ranked Boilermakers, who take on No. 13 Creighton (7 p.m. FOX) at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
All-American candidate, preseason All-Big Ten selection and outside hitter Kenna Wollard didn’t play in last week’s second exhibition against Butler.
“We don’t know when for sure she’ll be back,” Dave Shondell said Tuesday during an interview in his office.
Shondell added: “That’s all I can say.”
Asked if it was an injury: “I’m not sure why I can’t tell you, but they told me I really shouldn’t say. I’m going to stick to the plan and keep my job.”
Shondell has assembled a deep, experienced and talented team to embark on the 2026 season, and Wollard is a key component to what the Boilermakers are looking to accomplish.
And the early schedule is rugged with four ranked teams in the first 17 days of the season.
After Friday, Purdue faces defending national champion and No. 8 Texas A&M and Georgia on Tuesday/Wednesday at Mackey Arena as part of the Big Ten/SEC Challenge. There’s a matchup against No. 18 Texas Christian on Sept. 6.
Wollard is an important player in the program’s quest to challenge for the Big Ten title and make a run toward a Final Four. Wollard is the team’s best player, rarely coming off the court.
Purdue has other options, but none as experienced as Wollard. The first two candidates to fill her spot are freshman Addy Tindall and Georgia Tech transfer Lameen Mambu.
The team has been practicing in Mackey Arena, partly because of an event scheduled in the IAF, but also to prepare to play in the Sanford Pentagon, which has a capacity of 3,250. Plus, the Boilermakers will play in Mackey Arena next week.
The Creighton match is part of the State Farm Volleyball Showcase, which continues through Sunday.
Friday: No. 14 Minnesota vs. No. 12 Arizona State (FOX), following Purdue-Creighton
Saturday: No. 12 Arizona State vs. No. 20 USC, 3 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Saturday: No. 13 Creighton vs. No. 14 Minnesota (Fox Sports 1)
Sunday: No. 20 USC vs. No. 13 Creighton, 1 p.m. (BTN)
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The Boilermakers won five sets against Ball State and beat Butler 4-0 to wrap up exhibition play.
What did Shondell learn?
“I thought our ball control was really good,” he said. “I thought both those teams were capable of beating us in a set or two if we weren’t really good and we weren’t playing really well. Butler had us 21-18 in the first set, and then we scored seven of the last eight points. Otherwise, we lose that one.
“But again, we’ve got a lot of new faces. We’ve got 10 out of 17 who haven’t played in a fall match here at Purdue. It was great to get those exhibition matches, which we couldn’t do two years ago. I thought that was helpful. We’ve got enough experience that we shouldn’t lose our minds when we play in a big match.”
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One area of emphasis after the Ball State match was the lack of production from the middle hitters. Clemson transfer Kate Hansen delivered a solid performance against Butler.
Shondell said the 6-foot-3 Hansen was 10-for-16 with no hitting errors.
“She was really good. Now it’s playing against a smaller block, but she ran a lot of slides behind and had success,” he said. “She’s not one of those super high flyers like Raven Colvin, but she’s more of a Kim McConaha (first team All-Big Ten 2001-2004) type of player. McConaha was pretty good, but that’s who this girl reminds me of. And she’s a baller. She’s just a great player. She just does everything really well.”
Friday’s match could be a milestone achievement for Shondell, who is set to start his 24th season.
He has 512 victories, tying him with legendary men’s basketball coach Gene Keady for the most wins by a Purdue coach.
Shondell signed a four-year contract extension at the end of last season, keeping the 68-year-old on the sidelines through the 2029 season.
For Purdue students to attend next week’s matches against Texas A&M and Georgia at Mackey Arena.
"Purdue students can attend for free. This never happens at Purdue. We want to open the Purdue Sports season by blowing the roof off Mackey,” Shondell posted on social media earlier this week.
For non-Purdue students, ticket prices are $45 (chair backs), $24 (lower arena), and $14 (upper arena).
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