Purdue Sports Update: Jan. 18

PURDUE FALLS ON THE ROAD IN MARYLAND MAKEUP GAME

The Purdue women’s basketball team fell 88-66 on the road Sunday at Maryland. Purdue was led by sixth-year senior Caitlyn Harper with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

The Boilermakers (9-7, 2-3) opened each half on a roll with 6-2 and 10-2 runs in the first and third quarters, respectively. Despite the runs, Purdue was unable to keep the momentum as Maryland (11-5, 3-2) outscored the Boilermakers by 14 points combined in the second and fourth periods.

Harper hit double figures for the 10th time this season. Her efficient clip inside kept the Boilermakers at 42.2% shooting for the afternoon. Purdue was 7-of-19 from behind the arc. Madison Layden hit a trio of 3-pointers to finish with 13 points.

Jeanae Terry recorded seven points, five rebounds and six assists. It was the Detroit native’s seventh game with five points, rebounds and assists this season.

Points off turnovers proved to be the difference maker. The Boilermakers forced the Terrapins into 17 giveaways but managed just points on the giveaways. Maryland turned 19 Purdue miscues into 25 points.

The Boilermakers connected on six of their first eight shots to build up a 12-9 lead in the first quarter. The Terrapins responded with an 18-5 run that carried into the second. Purdue trailed by as many as 15 points in the second, before McKenna Layden halted a run with a corner triple. Maryland led 44-31 at the break.

Ellis and Terry combined to score 16 points over the opening 20 minutes, as the Boilermakers shot 48.1% from the field with a trio of 3-pointers. Purdue forced 12 Maryland turnovers in the first half, but 15 Boilermaker miscues turned into 17 points for the hosts.

Mary Ashley Stevenson kickstarted a 10-2 blitz out of the locker room for the Boilermakers. Layden hit back-to-back triples, as a part of an 11-point quarter, to pull Purdue within five. Purdue scored 19 points in the third, but Maryland converted Purdue’s four turnovers in the period into eight points to open a 68-50 advantage with 10 minutes left.

Harper finished inside three times for six points in the fourth, while Sophie Swanson added five off the bench in the fourth. Purdue hit a quartet of triples in the second half, but Maryland shot 57.1% from the field to keep the lead out of reach.

NOTES
• Maryland leads the all-time series 17-2.
• Madison Layden moved into a tie with Ashley Morrissette for ninth place on Purdue’s all-time 3-pointer list with 181 makes.
• After committing 15 turnovers in the first half, Purdue cut their giveaways down to four in the second half.
• Freshmen McKenna Layden and Sophie Swanson both hit 3-pointers.
• Jeanae Terry is now 57 points away from 1,000 in her career.
• Abbey Ellis now needs 78 points to reach the 1,000 mark as a Boilermaker.

WBB HEADS TO PENN STATE FOR THURSDAY NIGHT CLASH

The Purdue women’s basketball team will head back out on the road for a Thursday night clash against Penn State at 7 p.m. Jason Ross Jr. and Meghan McKeown will be on the call for the Big Ten Network.

Tim Newton will be back for game No. 1,004 on the air for the Boilermakers with the Purdue Global Radio Network on 95.3 BOB FM.

GAME INFORMATION  
Purdue (9-7, 2-3) at Penn State (11-5, 2-3)
Thursday, Jan. 18
Time: 7 PM
TV/Stream: BTN
Radio: 95.3 BOB FM
Live Stats: Purduestats.com 

SHONDELL WELCOMES MIDWEST TRIO FOR 2024

Head coach Dave Shondell announced the signing of Purdue volleyball’s 2024 signing class, featuring Sienna Foster, Ryan McAleer and Allie Shondell. 

The three-woman class features one setter (Shondell) and two defensive specialists (Foster and McAleer). Each member of the class has won a national title and has been selected for their state’s all-star match. Highlights include McAleer as a member of the 2023 U19 U.S. Girls’ National Team 20-player roster and the USA Volleyball National Training Development Program (NTDP), Shondell as a two-time Second Team All-American and Foster as an AAU All-American and career kills record-holder for the Boiler Juniors club team.

“This class of Boilermakers will be difference-makers in the most meaningful ways – primarily by bringing their best every day and out-working every freshman class at the Division I level,” said Shondell. “There are no 6’3 hammers in this trio, just well-skilled, highly disciplined and determined athletes who will help establish a work-ethic that will raise our performance. Sienna, Ryan and Allie fill some important roles that were vacated because of graduation. Passing and setting drives the offense and this group will bolster those areas.”

The Midwest trio round out a Boilermaker team that returns all but one starter from 2023, including three AVCA All-Americans, a third-place Big Ten finish and an NCAA Regional Semifinal appearance.

McAleer and Shondell have enrolled early and will practice with the squad this spring. 

#6 Sienna Foster
Defensive Specialist | 5-9 | Lafayette, Ind. | Benton Central (Oxford, Ind.) | Boiler Juniors Club Team

• 2020 AAU 14 Open National Champion
• 2020 AAU All-American (14 Open)
• Set the record for career kills in Boiler Juniors club team history
• Qualified with the Boiler Juniors for USAV Nationals in 2023 and 2019
• Member of the JVA Watch List
• 2023 IHSVCA All-Star match selection
• 2023 and 2022 3A All-State Second Team
• Guided the Benton Central Bison to three volleyball 3A Sectional Championship (2023, 2022, and 2020) and one 3A Regional appearance (2021) over her four-year career
• Four-time IHVCA 3A All-District Team honoree
• Four-time Journal & Courier Big School All-Area First Team selection
• Secured IHSVCA Watch List nods all four years
• Reached the 1,000 dig club as a junior and the 1,000 kill club as a senior
• Totaled 1,258 kills, 1,381 digs and 244 aces over her high school career
• Received the team’s MVP award three of her four years
• Registered a .300 attack % during her junior and sophomore seasons
• Four-time Hoosier Conference First Team selection
• Played basketball and volleyball all four years
• With basketball, garnered Sectional Champion status in 2021 and 2020 and Hoosier Conference Champions in 2022
• Three-time Miss Defense award winner for Benton Central basketball team
• Was a Hoosier Conference Honorable Mention Team selection for basketball following her senior and junior seasons
• Four year honor roll student and member of the Council for Academic Excellence as a senior and junior
• Career Plans: work in healthcare
• Parents: Todd and Jessica Foster. Both parents competed at the varsity level for Purdue, with Todd on the men’s basketball team (1992-96) Jessica on the Purdue dance team (1993-97)  

Dave Shondell on Sienna Foster: “Sienna is one of the finest athletes to ever wear a Benton Central High School jersey. The daughter of a Boilermaker basketball alum, Sienna exudes toughness and confidence. An Indiana All-Star as an outside hitter, Sienna will focus on her role as a back-court specialist at Purdue. She has demonstrated strengths in all necessary ball-control areas. Sienna’s experience competing at the highest level of club ball for the past six years while never leaving the floor, will benefit her as she competes early in her career.”

#11 Ryan McAleer
Defensive Specialist | 5-6 | Overland Park, Kan. | Blue Valley HS | Team Dynasty Volleyball Club Team

• Member of the 2023 U19 U.S. National Team 20-girl roster as libero and served as an alternate for the U.S. gold-winning team at the 2023 U19 Pan American Cup
• USA Volleyball National Training Development Program (NTDP) Indoor Training Series athlete
• The No. 1 defensive specialist/libero out of the state of Kansas and ranked the No. 3 overall athlete in the state by PrepDig Volleyball
• Competed at the national championships four times
• Guided her team to a USA Volleyball Junior National Champion team title
• Received All-Tournament Team honors for the 2021 USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship
• 2023 and 2019 USA Volleyball Junior National Championship Runner-Up
• Placed third in 2022 at the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships
• Helped Blue Valley to a 6A State Runner-Up finish as a junior (2022)
• Selected for the Metro Sports All-Star match on Team Kansas for a match vs. Team Missouri
• Averaged 5.5 digs per set in both her junior and sophomore seasons
• Named First Team All-Conference as a senior and junior and a Second Team honoree as a sophomore
• 2022 VolleyballMag.com High School Midseason “ION” Watch List
• Received First Team All-State as a junior
• Career plans: Work in sports journalism and broadcast
• Parents: Thom and Jackie McAleer
• Sister, Addy, was an outside hitter at Lindenwood University and brother, Sam, played baseball at Mesa Community College

Dave Shondell on Ryan McAleer: “Ryan was ranked as one of the three top liberos in the nation in her class. She brings great energy and belief to any team and has the ability to cover plenty of court as a passer and defender. A key contributor on her Dynasty club team and Blue Valley High School team, Ryan has the ability to fight for playing time from the beginning. She’s battled against the best club teams in America and proved her worth regularly. Ryan is a digging machine that will bring a unique approach to our defense.”

#3 Allie Shondell
Setter | 5-10 | Lafayette, Ind. | McCutcheon HS | Boiler Juniors Club Team

• Two-time MaxPreps Second Team All-American (2022 and 2021)
• Received First Team All-State and All-District to close her senior campaign
• 2020 AAU National Champion
• 2020 AAU All-American
• 2021 All-JVA National Team
• PrepVolleyball Top-150 recognition
• Named to both the 2023 AVCA All-America Watch List and MaxPreps Watch List
• 2023 IHSVCA All-Star match participant
• Guided McCutcheon to an Indiana 4A state title as a sophomore in 2021
• Led McCutcheon to three Regional titles
• Totaled 3,383 career assists and 610 digs during her high school career, breaking the McCutcheon school record with over 3,000 assists by the end of her junior campaign
• Posted a double-double with 42 assists, 12 digs in the 2023 4A Sectional Championship
• 2023 Nominee for Indiana High School Sports Girls Volleyball Player of the Year
• Selected Under Armour Next High School Player of the Week May 31, 2023
• As a junior, received Second Team All-State, First Team All-District and NCC All-Conference First Team honors
• Registered 940 assists in each of her first three seasons at McCutcheon, including 950 assists as a junior
• As a freshman, received 2020 NCC All-Conference First Team honors
• Named a 2020 Journal & Courier Big School All-Area Team honoree as a freshman
• Member of the Honor Roll all four years
• Career Plans: Major in IBE with a minor in global engineering
• Teammate Alleigh Dutton plays for fellow Big Ten member, Rutgers
• Parents: John and Laura Shondell, with Laura a 1999 Purdue alum and John a Purdue Volleyball associate head coach (2003-23)

Dave Shondell on Allie Shondell: “I doubt any athlete in the entire class, nationally – has set as many accurate balls as Allie during the past four years. Allie is extremely well-skilled and understands how to win. The high school All-American led her high school and club team to record-breaking win totals during her career. The McCutcheon graduate smashed all assist records for the Mavs. The 5’10- floor general also has a laser-like serve. I fully expect Allie to enter our program and raise the level of setting on our team in every manner.”

HIGBIE, MCAFEE GIVE PURDUE A 2ND DIVER OF THE WEEK SWEEP

A trio of personal-best list scores while contributing three of the five victories in Purdue’s Saturday sweep in the dive well set the stage for a Holden Higbie–Sophie McAfee team up for matching Big Ten Diver of the Week honors.

Higbie was also recognized as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week. He won on 3-meter with a list score of 409, moving into 14th place in team history. McAfee swept the springboard events for the third straight NCAA meet dating back to November. She improved on her 14th-best score in team history on 1-meter (317.75) in the women’s triple dual vs. Missouri and Illinois. Both list totals represented team season bests in those events as well.

Teammates Max Miller and Daryn Wright also teamed up for a Diver of the Week sweep on Oct. 25, at the time marking the first time the Boilermakers had accomplished the feat since November 2019. Purdue now has four different Diver of the Week honorees in a season for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign (Jamie Bissett, Layne Rogers, Casey Matthews, Michelle Cabassol). The 2013-14 season also marked the last time the Boilermakers had two weekly award sweeps for diving in the same year.

Jordan Rzepka (men’s 1-meter) and Wright (women’s 10-meter) won events Saturday as well. The five event wins in the dive well helped the women top Missouri and Illinois, improving to 6-0 in duals. The men would not have finished tied with Missouri at 150-150 in the team scoring without the diving victories or the 1-2-3 finish from Rzepka, Higbie and Miller on 1-meter. Higbie (376.20) finished only 1.4 points behind Rzepka (377.20) and just three points separated Rzepka and Miller (373.60).

McAfee’s seven event victories are tied with Wright for the most by a Purdue diver this season. Her winning score on 3-meter (355.25) was just 1.7 points shy of her team season best. The junior won her first career Big Ten Diver of the Week honor.

Higbie was victorious for the second time this season, improving on his winning 3-meter list (387.15) at the Dan Ross Indiana Intercollegiate by 21.85 points. He enjoyed a 53-point improvement on his previous personal best on 1-meter.

The Boilermakers are back in action Saturday, Jan. 27 for the annual rivalry dual at Indiana. Platform diving is traditionally contested as a scoring event for both genders in the dual with IU.

TENNIS FACES OREGON IN FIRST ROAD TEST

Purdue faces its first road test of the season with a trip to Eugene at Oregon and Portland on Jan. 19 and 20.

For the second consecutive season the Boilers opened up the spring with a home loss to Dayton. Purdue dropped a 3-4 decision to the Flyers in which Mujtaba Ali-Khan, Marino Jakic, and Stefan Simeunovic each recorded straight set wins to give Purdue its three points in the dual.

Newcomers Aleksa Krivokapic and Juan David Velasquez faced ranked opponents to start their season. Krivokapic was bested by No. 81 Connor Bruce while Velasquez dropped a decision to No. 113 Luis Saraiva. 

MATCH INFORMATION
Purdue (0-1) at Oregon (0-0)
Student Tennis Center
Friday, Jan. 19 | 8:30 PM

Purdue (0-1) vs Portland (0-0)
Student Tennis Center
Saturday, Jan. 20 | 7:30 PM

TENNIS: YOUNG SIGNS MAJ PREMZL TO NLI

Purdue men’s tennis coach Geoff Young announced the signing of Maj Premzl to the Class of 2024 on Tuesday.

A native of Slovenia, Premzl is the first member of the Class of 2024 to sign with the Boilers. He comes to West Lafayette with a rich pedigree as he obtained a career-high ITF Junior Ranking of 140 and ATP Rankings of 1783 (singles) and 874 (doubles).

As Young continues to build his winning culture at Purdue, Premzl looks to be a perfect fit. His success has come at all levels with four ITF Junior Tournament titles and four professional M15 doubles finals appearances. He’s also won three national championships in Slovenia and represented his country in three international competitions.

Young on Premzl: “Couldn’t be more excited for someone like Maj to join our program. He brings a lot of experience at a high level of tennis both in singles and doubles, and is the type of person that will help this program take us to the next level.”

WRESTLING DROP BIG TEN OPENER TO #14 RUTGERS

Wrestling fell in its conference opener to No. 14 Rutgers 26-13 on Sunday afternoon in Holloway Gymnasium.

The Boilermakers (5-4, 0-1 B1G) came away with wins in four of the matches against the Scarlet Knights. True freshmen No. 32 Greyson Clark and No. 18 Joey Blaze both won in their Big Ten dual debuts, while No. 2 Matt Ramos and Stoney Buell picked up comfortable decisions of their own.

The 157-pounder Blaze bagged a takedown in each period to go with a trip reversal in the second to earn bonus points for the Boilers in a 12-4 major decision win over Al DeSantis. It is his eighth bonus point win of the season, second on the team behind only Ramos (9).

Clark jumped out in front of his match early, needing only seven seconds to pick up a takedown on Devon Britton. He rode out the remainder of the 2:53 of the first period to finish on top and prevent an escape. He took the match with a 5-1 decision.

In the 125-pound bout, Ramos picked up his sixth ranked win of the year with a 4-1 decision over No. 13 Dean Peterson. The offense in the match came entirely from the Purdue corner and a second period takedown off a lengthy scramble was enough to give the All-American Ramos the final advantage.

The final win of the afternoon for the Boilermakers came from the redshirt-sophomore Buell, whose 5-2 decision over Anthony White put Purdue ahead 13-12 with three matches left to wrestle. The Dundee, Mich., native powered his way to a first period takedown that earned him the first Big Ten dual win of his career.