Big Ten Volleyball Schedule Headlined by Rivalry Match at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Big Ten Conference office announced the 2025 volleyball schedule, in which the Boilermakers will open the season at home on Thursday, September 25 versus Washington.
 
The schedule is highlighted by a rivalry showdown between Purdue and Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Thursday, October 16. Not only will the historic arena host the first-ever regular-season showing between a Purdue and Indiana team and mark the first volleyball match to be played there, the competition will culminate with the victor hoisting the Monon Spike rivalry trophy. The annual trophy, currently held by Purdue, was last played in West Lafayette in front of a sold-out Mackey Arena crowd that set the Big Ten attendance record (14,876).
 
“This is another reason why forward-thinking players choose Purdue – to be part of events and accomplishments that have never been done before,” said head coach Dave Shondell. “Our team will compete in the first volleyball match to ever be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and our amazing Boilermaker fans will have an opportunity to paint downtown Indy black and gold. Thanks to Indy Sports Corp for helping make this happen. Our team is looking forward to the excitement the 2025 season will bring.”
 
Volleyball joins women’s basketball as the only two sports to play a rivalry match at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with women’s basketball last playing against Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament in 2017 when the arena was formerly known as Bankers Life.
 
Purdue’s home Big Ten opponents include Washington (9/25), Illinois (9/28), Nebraska (10/12), Minnesota (10/26), Penn State (11/7), Iowa (11/8), Maryland (11/14), Oregon (11/15), Northwestern (11/23) and Indiana (11/29).
 
After opening up conference action at home, in Week 2 Purdue will travel west to UCLA (Thursday, October 2) and USC (Saturday, October 4). It will be the third-ever meeting between UCLA and Purdue, including the first for the Boilermakers at the Bruins homestead. Meanwhile, the showdown at USC will be the second-ever meeting between the two teams at USC, with the last coming in September 2006.
 
Purdue’s longest road stretch will come in October, when the Boilermakers will see seven of their nine matches on the road. Meanwhile, they will follow it with the longest homestand of the season in November, when the team is home for four consecutive matches beginning November 7 vs. Penn State through November 15 vs. Oregon. During the stretch, Purdue will also host Iowa and Maryland.
 
The season will wrap up with six of its last eight matches at home, including an away/home pairing in the final week of the season: Thanksgiving week. First, Purdue will face Minnesota on the road Wednesday, November 26 before hosting Indiana at home on Saturday, November 29, which will serve as a rivalry day in West Lafayette, as the Boilermakers and Hoosiers will also face off in football that day at Ross-Ade Stadium for the Old Oaken Bucket.
 
The conference schedule comes on the heels of the non-conference slate, which Purdue announced yesterday. The television schedule and ticket information will be released at a later date and match times are subject to change.
 
Coming off one of its best seasons in program history with a 27-7 (16-4 Big Ten) record and a fourth-place finish in the league standings, the Boilermakers return 2024 Second Team All-Big Ten honoree Taylor Anderson, who not only ranked No. 8 in the nation in assists per set (11.25), but guided Purdue to its third-highest hitting % in single-season history (.280%). In addition to returning rising stars, which include Kenna Wollard, Ryan McAleer and Grace Heaney, Shondell’s incoming freshmen and transfer class set Purdue up to tie the tallest team in over 22 years, with an average front court height of 6’2″.

Checking in at No. 8 in the nation in average attendance in 2024, Purdue’s season ticket holder renewals will begin June 3 and will close July 18. Fans looking to join the waiting list can do so by contacting the Hayes Family Ticket Office at 765-494-3194. The single-season ticket on-sale date will be released at a later time.

 

Home Opponents: Washington (9/25), Illinois (9/28), Nebraska (10/12), Minnesota (10/26), Penn State (11/7), Iowa (11/8), Maryland (11/14), Oregon (11/15), Northwestern (11/23), Indiana (11/29).

Away Opponents: UCLA (10/3), USC (10/4), Ohio State (10/9), Indiana (10/16), Rutgers (10/19), Illinois (10/24), Michigan State (10/31), Michigan (11/1), Wisconsin (11/19), Minnesota (11/26)