Conference play begins against ranked opponents
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 09/25/2009
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The beginning of Big Ten play this week presents an early challenge for the Boilermakers.
The Purdue volleyball team will face two ranked opponents in its first Big Ten weekend. The Boilermakers (8-3) hope to improve on past seasons’ successes despite a very young team.
Last season, the Boilers finished fourth in their highly competitive conference with a 13-7 Big Ten record. Their success in conference play earned them an NCAA tournament spot, and they understand the importance of performing well in the conference.
“It’s very exciting,” coach Dave Shondell said. “The Big Ten is such a great volleyball conference, and right now it’s probably as good as it’s ever been. We think our team is poised for a good season so we’re looking forward to getting started. The team’s playing well, and I just really like the mentality of this team right now.”
Purdue will face two roadblocks this week as it faces No. 8 Michigan and No. 16 Michigan State. Michigan State has a perfect 12-0 record and had an early upset of then No. 12 USC. There are several parallels between the Spartans and the Boilermakers.
“Michigan State got a couple of big wins early in the season, which catapulted them into the rankings,” Shondell said. “They’re kind of like us. They’re still young. Obviously they’re a very good team, but we’re excited to play them because we feel like we’re making really good progress.”
This weekend the Boilermakers have a rare Sunday match due to Saturday evening’s football game against Notre Dame. The team believes the excitement from the football game will flow over into its match.
“It’s real nerve racking,” junior setter Jaclyn Hart said. “But I think we’re really excited to show people who we are.”
The team will use last weekend’s performance of six straight set wins to gain confidence. The young Boilermakers were honored for the first time this season when freshman outside hitter Ariel Turner was named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week. Shondell believes his younger players have shown vast improvement and that his team will have great success throughout the remainder of the season.
“There’s going to be a few hiccups along the way,” Shondell said. “But you just hope that they’re not going to be so large that they prevent us from winning the match. I think it’s going to be a great atmosphere.”
The Boilermakers will play Michigan State at 7 p.m. Friday and then Michigan at 1 p.m. Sunday. Both matches will be played in the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility.