Purdue to again host NCAA volleyball tournament matches. Opponent, dates

Purdue volleyball will host a NCAA tournament match for the third straight season, it learned Sunday.

The Boilermakers finished 24-6 and third in the Big Ten after being picked seventh preseason. They lost 92.5% of offensive production over the offseason and exceeded expectations. The reward? Hosting the first two rounds of the tournament Thursday and Friday.

That's despite going 2-3 in the last five matches of the regular season.

Holloway Gymnasium's doors will open again Thursday when No. 3-seed Purdue hosts Wright State (21-10) in the Pitt quadrant. The winner will face either Arkansas State (22-8) or No. 6 Baylor (17-9) in the second round Friday.

Times, tickets and TV information were not immediately available.

Star outside hitter Kenna Wollard is one of eight players who stayed after a tumultuous offseason. She was named an AVCA national player of the year semifinalist, recognizing her as one of the top 14 players nationally.

“There was not a part of me at all that wanted to leave Purdue. It’s such a special place, and when you get to be on the volleyball team here, it’s an absolutely amazing experience that it’s not like anywhere else and we’re just handed a lot, it’s very special and our coaches make such a big difference," Wollard said after a four-set win over Indiana on Saturday. "I wanted to do it for them and, like Taylor said, my teammates that stayed.”

Opposite hitter Grace Heaney also became one of the most efficient attackers.

Coach Dave Shondell also crossed the 500 career wins milestone this season. It's the 37th NCAA tournament appearance, including 20 times in 23 years under Shondell.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue NCAA volleyball tournament bracket, seed, host location, record