The first volleyball match in Gainbridge Fieldhouse saw Purdue beat Indiana. Kenna Wollard again was the star.
INDIANAPOLIS − Dave Shondell paused, an obvious lump in his throat.
Rarely a man who struggles to find words, the Purdue volleyball coach needed a few extra seconds Thursday night at the podium in Gainbridge Fieldhouse when asked about Kenna Wollard.
The weeks following Purdue's Sweet 16 loss to Louisville in December were especially trying on Shondell, as he learned that four of his best players were opting to enter the transfer portal.
Among those who stayed loyal, though, was Wollard, who spent the past two seasons playing out of position as an opposite, while now departed Eva Hudson (Kentucky) and Chloe Chicoine (Louisville) were fed a majority of the sets and racked up the accolades.
"When things start to happen, it's easy just to fall in line and think it's going to be better somewhere else," Shondell said. "But Kenna Wollard stayed. Those are the things in your coaching career that I hope will last a little bit longer; you'll never forget them. I'll never forget her until the day I die."
Those in attendance for the first volleyball match at Gainbridge Fieldhouse may not ever forget Wollard either.
The junior outside hitter had 18 kills, 2 aces, 7 digs, and 3 blocks while hitting .308 in No. 12 Purdue's 25-19, 17-25, 25-20, 25-21 win over No. 22 Indiana.
"We tried to make her night a challenge, but she's done that," Indiana coach Steve Aird said. "I mean, she had 14 or 15 kills against Nebraska, and the last time I checked, they're awfully good."
It marked the 15th time in 16 matches this season that Wollard recorded double-digit kills, including a career-high 33 at UCLA on Oct. 2, which helped earn the Dunlap, Illinois, native American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Week honors on Oct. 7.
"You feel more in rhythm when you're in the game the whole time, too," Wollard said after Thursday's match. "I struggled a little bit to stay in rhythm when I was going in and out of the game, and obviously not playing a position I was most comfortable in. So playing my position and being in there the whole game, I think I'm able to find a rhythm and just try and be steady and consistent and be that rock for my team."
Wollard looked like the All-American player she's quickly becoming with seven kills on 10 swings in the first set. Five hitting errors later and with the Hoosiers dominating the second set, Aird thought Indiana had Wollard right where they wanted her.
Kenna Wollard: 🧱 wall. pic.twitter.com/w1xPg04F1m
— Purdue Volleyball (@PurdueVB) October 16, 2025
"When I wasn't playing great in the second set, I really knew I had to step up mentally and physically," Wollard said.
The past two years, Shondell had a choice to make, with a luxury of talent on the left side.
He opted to move Wollard to the right side and rely on Hudson and Chicoine on the left, thinking at the time it was the best move to have Purdue's three best players on the floor.
On Thursday night, after winning a match in front of nearly 6,500 fans inside an NBA arena, Shondell came to a realization.
"The other two were, in my opinion, best for us on the left at that time and her at the right," Shondell said. "I may have been wrong.
"As you watch her play this year, people are wondering what were you thinking."
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Kenna Wollard leads Purdue past Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Category: General Sports
