Purdue walked into Big Ten Volleyball Media Day sounding like a team that knows exactly what it has.
The Boilermakers are bringing back a big chunk of last season’s group, and that continuity is a major reason there’s so much confidence around Dave Shondell’s program heading into 2026. Purdue returns 71% of its production from a team that went 27-7, finished fourth in the Big Ten and reached the regional semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament.
That kind of season would be enough for most programs. For Purdue, it’s the baseline.
Shondell made it clear Monday in Chicago that he likes what he has - a lot.
“I really love our team. It's as athletic a team as we've had,” Shondell said. “We may not have one individual who stands beyond everybody else, but we have a lot of really, really talented athletes.”
That talent starts with the players coming back. Outside hitter Kenna Wollard, opposite hitter Grace Heaney and middle blocker Dior Charles give Purdue a strong core, and the Boilermakers also bring back All-American setter Taylor Anderson and starting libero Ryan McAleer.
But the bigger point from Media Day was that this isn’t just a returners story. It’s a depth story, too.
With 17 players on the roster and the new five-for-five eligibility rule in play, Shondell said the margin between players is small from top to bottom.
“We have 17 players. One through 17, there's not that much [separation],” Shondell said.
“That will make it difficult because there are going to be some great players who aren't going to play as much as they want. We have to establish a love for one another, a team-first mentality.
We have that. It's a unique group of players.”
That depth has changed the day-to-day feel of the program. It’s not just about what Purdue can throw on the floor in a match; it’s about how hard the Boilers push each other in practice.
“When we step on the court, we are very serious, very competitive and ready to work,” Heaney said. “But we also have a lot of fun. We have so many personalities and characters on the team, which makes it so much easier to love the game.”
For Shondell, that mix of competition and chemistry is part of why he thinks this year’s team can be “considerably better” than the one that played in 2025.
The schedule won’t give Purdue much time to ease into things. The Boilers open the 2026 season against Creighton on Friday, Aug. 28, in Sioux Falls, S.D.
After that, they come home for the Big Ten-SEC Challenge and face reigning national champion Texas A&M on Sept. 1 and Georgia on Sept. 2.
Charles said those early tests are already sharpening the group.
“It has created a sense of urgency in us,” Charles said. “Every time we step on the floor, we're intentional about what we need to get done. Having those matches coming up helps us get better every single day.”
That urgency matters even more with the Big Ten expected to be stronger this fall after what was considered a bit of a down year in 2025. Purdue doesn’t sound interested in waiting around to find out where it stands. The Boilers believe they have the experience, the depth and the athleticism to be part of the conversation right away.
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