WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue volleyball earned its sixth strip beyond the NCAA Tournament’s first weekend in the last seven seasons.
The Boilermakers (26-6) beat Baylor (18-10) 25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20 at Holloway Gymnasium Friday in the NCAA Tournament’s second round.
Purdue swept Wright State in Thursday’s opening round, led by setter Taylor Anderson and outside hitters Akasha Anderson and Kenna Wollard.
Akasha Anderson had 16 kills on 29 swings, the most errorless attacks by a Boilermaker in postseason history. Wollard had 13 kills and a match high 10 digs. It was the Wollard and Andersons show again Friday. Wollard had 18 kills against Baylor and Akasha Anderson had 17, doing the heavy lifting on Taylor Anderson’s 45 assists.
Baylor survived a five-set thriller to get past Arkansas State on Thursday. Ksenia Rakhmanchik led the Bears with 32 kills, tying Baylor’s NCAA Tournament record.
Purdue volleyball holds off Baylor rally to advance to Sweet 16
As was the case in Set 4, Baylor made a comeback attempt. This time, though, the Boilermakers slammed the door shut. Taylor Anderson’s solo block on match point gave Purdue a 25-20 victory, sending Purdue to its third straight Sweet 16.
Baylor rallies late to win set 3 vs. Purdue volleyball
After a Dior Charles block, Purdue led the third set 20-17 and was thinking sweep. Baylor had other plans and the serving of All-Big 12 freshman outside hitter Ksenia Rakhmanchik extended the Bears’ season. Rakhmanchik served five straight points and former Boilermaker Brielle Warren’s kill on set point gave Baylor a 25-23 comeback win.
Kenna Wollard boosts Purdue volleyball in Set 2 vs. Baylor
Baylor had a lot of momentum when it got within 17-16. That’s when Purdue turned to its best player.
Kenna Wollard responded with a kill, followed by a block and another kill, flipping that momentum in a matter of minutes. Wollard has 10 kills and no errors while hitting .714, leading Purdue to a 25-19 second set win.
The blocking of Dior Charles and Grace Heaney, along with 11 digs from Ryan McAleer has helped hold Baylor to a .181 cumulative hitting percentage.
Lindsey Miller has five kills for the Boilermakers, including splitting a pair of Bears in this highlight.
Purdue volleyball takes first set vs. Baylor
Akasha Anderson picked up where she left off on Thursday. The Purdue senior had five kills to lead all hitters in Purdue’s 25-16 opening-set victory.
Kenna Wollard added four kills on six swings to go with four digs. Taylor Anderson dished 10 assists and Ryan McAleer’s seven digs and an ace lifted the defense. But it was Dior Charles at the net making the difference.
Purdue led 14-12 when Charles stuffed a shot at the net, her first of three blocks in Set 1. Lindsey Miller closed the door with her third kills on set point.
How to watch Purdue volleyball vs. Baylor in NCAA Tournament
Purdue volleyball vs. Baylor in the NCAA Tournament second round is on ESPN+.
Stream Purdue volleyball vs. Baylor
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
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This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue volleyball sweetens season with NCAA Tournament win over Baylor
Reporting by Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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