For the first time since 2010, Indiana volleyball is ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. The Hoosiers picked up wins in Los Angeles over then-No. 17 USC on Oct. 3 and then-No. 24 UCLA on Oct. 4, pushing them to No. 20 in the rankings released Monday. It marks the highest ranking in program history for Indiana.
The Hoosiers are off to their best Big Ten start since 1985, owning a 4-0 conference record. Eighth-year head coach Steve Aird and his squad sit at 13-1 on the season, with its lone loss coming in three sets to Western Kentucky University on Sept. 19.
After losing the first set 15-25 to the Trojans, the Hoosiers overcame early miscues to take the next three sets and beat USC on Oct. 3. It was much of the same against the Bruins, with Indiana struggling to find its offensive rhythm and dropping the first set but finding a spark to win the final three sets. Following the weekend, USC fell to No. 22 in the rankings, while UCLA dropped out of the rankings.
The Hoosiers are now one of seven ranked Big Ten squads, with two others — Illinois and UCLA — receiving votes in the poll.
Indiana has the third best hitting percentage in the conference with a mark of .311. It is behind No. 7 Wisconsin and No. 1 Nebraska, which own hitting percentages of .333 and .327, respectively.
Three Hoosiers rank in the top 20 in the Big Ten for total kills. Senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles leads the team with 176 kills, ranking 13th in the conference. Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum and freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager have 173 and 165 kills, respectively. Tatum’s mark is tied for 15th, while Jager’s ranks 18th.
Freshman setter Teodora Kričković was awarded Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Monday following her performance out west. The Novi Sad, Serbia, native collected 33 assists against USC and 44 assists and 10 digs against UCLA. She guided Indiana to a hitting percentage of .252 against the Trojans and .262 against the Bruins.
With its new ranking, Indiana will travel to Michigan this weekend to take on Michigan and Michigan State. The Hoosiers will face the Wolverines at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the Spartans at 1 p.m. Oct. 12 in East Lansing, Michigan.
Follow reporters Savannah Slone (@savrivers06 and srslone@iu.edu) and Kasey Watkins (@KaseyWatki8773 and kaslwatk@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana volleyball season.
