Indiana volleyball's winningest player set familial culture before historic season

The Spanish national anthem played over Wilkinson Hall on senior night, the gravity of the moment built over a more than four-year period.

Candela Alonso-Corcelles, a native of Madrid, Spain, may have had an idea it was going to happen. Her parents, who visited for a few weeks as her Indiana volleyball career winds down, were surprised. Her mother was recording the moment on her phone with a wide smile.

It's the familial feel that IU offered and delivered to Alonso-Corcelles, who became the program's winningest player in the NCAA era Wednesday night as the Hoosiers beat Illinois in three sets.

"El himno de España para mi significa, no solo yo, es todo lo que venga detrás. Es familia, es amigos, es de verdad la vida, me valiera la vida. España para mí, estacionó la dedicación de todos los años que quedo aquí en la universidad, y que empecé el voleibol con once años." Alonso-Corcelles said. "El himno de España significa la memoria; mi abuelo, mi mejor fan, quien me animó a saludar mi mejor en voleibol. Se prevenía y se prestar con mi abuela, con mi familia y para mí. Es súper especial porque él no se fue de España desde solamente un niño así que súper especial."

Said, Alonso-Corcelles, in English: "It's so special. I'm so proud to be a Spanish person, Spanish woman. I love my country. I love the culture. Whenever I think of Spain, I think of family, friends, enjoying them. So, for me, that's not at the end because I still have so much career, but kind of the end of Indiana volleyball, playing the anthem was really special. It reminds me since the first day that I (played) volleyball around 11 years old. Now it's really special. And I also think of my family, and my grandpa, he passed away a year and a half ago, and he was my best cheerleader. Playing the anthem and remembering him is also very special."

The familial feel was also partly built by Alonso-Corcelles who stayed all four years of her career, which is seemingly rarer as the transfer portal and name, image and likeness have enabled player movement and made roster retention more difficult. The result? Alonso-Corcelles is 75-49, the best four-year stretch in program history, with matches still to be played.

She helped IU obtain its highest ranking in program history this season, set a record for Big Ten wins in a season, matched a season record for wins, ensure the program's first NCAA tournament appearance in 15 years and possibly hosting as one of the top 16 seeds.

"I am so excited that I made this decision. At that point, I had no idea about anything of the U.S.," Alonso-Corcelles said. "And in that call that I had with (coach) Steve (Aird) and all the coaches was like a sign. And then I came here and like, it was tough, you know, coming from a different country was tough at the start, but this has been a family and the people that surround me — my friends, the connections that we have made — it's just amazing.

"This is a family. I am a family and a friend person, so this has been such an amazing journey."

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And the journey has laid a foundation with a strong freshmen class, seven in total who have played various roles. Breakout freshman Jaidyn Jager, an outside hitter like Alonso-Corcelles, said this team's goal was to play connected, and it's shown this season.

"It's a group of selfless young women that love Indiana, and we're not afraid to take on the challenge to beat some of the best teams in the country this year, especially on the road, and be mature enough to do that day in and day out," Aird said. "They'll be on the wall here and it'll be a program launching group and a team that will be (and) should be very proud for the rest of their lives about what they were able to accomplish."

The activities Alonso-Corcelles did with her parents included taking them to C3, her favorite spot in Bloomington. It's apparent how much family means to her, and quality time spent with those who bring her joy.

So what have four years in the U.S., in Bloomington taught her about herself?

"I learned so, so many things. That one thing that I stand by, and it's every time I think about life, it's just I love living life," she said. "I love enjoying life. I would enjoy every single moment. ...

"I love having time with my friends, my family, everything. ... And coming here, I think that's one of the most things that I think I learned the most: I enjoy the person, enjoy the moment and live life."

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Candela Alonso-Corcelles IU volleyball record

Candela Alonso-Corcelles is 75-49 in her four-year Hoosiers career. Here's a year-by-year breakdown:

• Freshman (2022): 16-16

• Sophomore (2023): 21-12

• Junior (2024): 15-15

• Senior (2025): 23-6

Candela Alonso-Corcelles IU volleyball stats

Across 457 sets in 126 matches, Alonso-Corcelles has 1,381 kills (3.02 per set) hitting .199. She also has 755 digs (1.65) per set.

• Freshman (2022): 231 kills (1.89 per set), .157; 108 digs (0.89 per set)

• Sophomore (2023): 344 kills (2.89 per set), .174; 225 digs (1.89 per set)

• Junior (2024): 409 kills (3.82 per set), .185; 207 digs (1.93 per set)

• Senior (2025): 397 kills (3.64 per set), .272; 215 digs (1.97 per set)

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Candela Alonso-Corcelles pro team. Grand Rapids Rise draft IU's Candela Alonso-Corcelles

Alonso-Corcelles will continue her professional career in the Midwest. The Grand Rapids Rise selected her with the 11th pick in Monday's Major League Volleyball Draft.

“I love her maturity and the way she looks at life,” Rise coach and vice president of operations Cathy George said. “She is leading a team that is breaking records at Indiana. Candela might make a mistake, but she keeps coming back. I like her fight and ability to keep her teammates calm. Indiana plays an extremely fast offense, and we have setters that can deliver that ball to her.”

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana volleyball winningest player Candela Alsonso-Corcelles