Purdue Volleyball Earns Top Honors

The Boiling Point: Purdue volleyball cleans up in Big Ten honors.

Purdue’s volleyball success this season hasn’t gone unnoticed. On Tuesday, hitter Ariel Turner was named Big Ten Player of the Year, while Purdue coach Dave Shondell earned Coach of the Year.

Turner led the Big Ten in kills (4.92) and points per set (5.54) through the regular season, finishing in the nation’s top five in both categories. The Boilermaker outside hitter has also racked up 15 double-doubles this season and averages 2.76 digs for the year. Turner received five Big Ten Player of the Week awards, tying the conference’s single-season record. She becomes the second Purdue player to win the award and first since 1985.

Shondell earned top billing among the conference’s coaches after guiding Purdue to a 27-4 overall record and a 16-4 mark in Big Ten play en route to a tie for second place in the conference standings. The Boilermakers’ second-place finish is their best since 1987, while the team’s 16 Big Ten wins mark the most for a Purdue team since 1985. Shondell’s award from the coaches marks the first in Purdue history, while his honor from the media is the school’s third all-time and first since 1987.

Purdue’s Tiffany Fisher also made the All-Big Ten team, while Kierra Jones made the All-Freshman Team. Emily Ehlers was noted for a sportsmanship award.

The Boilers begin postseason play this weekend in West Lafayette.