Purdue Volleyball Advances to Sweet 16, Sets High-Stakes Rematch with SMU

The Purdue Boilermakers volleyball team is heading to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the third year in a row. They secured their spot with a second-round victory over Baylor. The team will now face a familiar opponent in the regional semifinal.

The match is scheduled for Thursday, December 11th in Pittsburgh. Purdue enters the tournament as a No. 3 seed. Their opponent, the No. 2 seed SMU Mustangs, seeks revenge for a regular-season loss.

Tournament Path Leads to Critical Rematch

Purdue’s journey to Pittsburgh began with a decisive first-round win over Wright State. According to ESPN, the team then faced a tough Baylor squad in the second round. They overcame that challenge in four sets to advance.

This sets up a high-stakes showdown with SMU. The winner will face either No. 1 seed Pittsburgh or No. 4 seed Minnesota. That match will decide who goes to the National Semifinals.

Season History Favors the Boilermakers

Purdue and SMU have already clashed this season. The Boilermakers won that September match in four sets. It was a significant early-season victory over a top-ten ranked team.

SMU took the first set, but Purdue rallied. They won three consecutive tight sets to secure the win. This history gives Purdue confidence but also fuels SMU’s desire for payback.

The rematch promises intense playoff volleyball. Both teams have improved since September. The stakes are undeniably higher with a Final Four berth on the line.

Purdue’s quest for a national championship continues this Thursday in Pittsburgh. The Boilermakers must leverage their prior success against SMU to survive and advance in the NCAA Tournament.

Info at your fingertips

What time is the Purdue vs. SMU volleyball match?

The match will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Pitt vs. Minnesota game. That first match begins at 7 p.m. ET, so expect Purdue’s start around 9 p.m. ET.

What channel is the NCAA volleyball Sweet 16 on?

Both regional semifinal matches in Pittsburgh will be broadcast on ESPN2. You can also stream the game through the ESPN app with a valid cable subscription.

Who won when Purdue played SMU earlier this year?

Purdue won the regular-season matchup 3-1. After dropping the first set, the Boilermakers won three straight to secure the victory in Lexington, Kentucky.

What happens if Purdue wins against SMU?

The winner advances to the NCAA Regional Final on Saturday. They will play the winner of the match between Pitt and Minnesota for a spot in the National Semifinals.

How many times has Purdue reached the Sweet 16?

This is the third consecutive season Purdue has advanced to the Regional Semifinals. It marks a period of sustained excellence for the program under head coach Dave Shondell.