Lady Vols Drop Match Against Purdue, 3-1

Sunday, August 31

Nashville, Tenn.

3 p.m.

University of Tennessee

1-1,0-0SEC

Purdue

2-0,0-0Big Ten

Tennessee

Purdue

August 31, 2025 | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Lady Vols fell to Purdue in the Broadway Block Party at Bridgestone Arena by a score of 4-1 (17-25, 19-25, 25-21, 20-25) on Sunday afternoon.

The Lady Vols (1-1) were led offensively by Paityn Chapman, tallying 19 kills in the contest to set a new career-high. She was joined on the offensive end by Brynn Williams, who picked up her first double-digit kill effort for the team with 14. Tennessee had a strong offensive match with 55 kills on a .282 hitting percentage, but could get enough done on the defensive side to get the victory with four blocks and 31 digs.

Redshirt junior setter Caroline Kerr once again put up a strong performance on the court, finishing with 32 assists. This marked the 54th 30+ assist effort for Kerr in her career. Izzy Mogridge also continued to be a bright spot for the Lady Vols, finishing the contest with 16 assists of her own as the first-year setter continues to be a valuable part of the Big Orange lineup.

Purdue (2-0) found success offensively, finishing the match with 59 kills and a .379 hitting percentage. The difference in the match came defensively, with the Boilermakers out pacing the Lady Vols with eight blocks and 37 digs.

The Lady Vols began the first set hot, taking a 5-1 lead early. Purdue would battle back to tie the game later at 11-11 before pulling away in the first frame. Errors hurt the Lady Vols in the first set, who finished with eight in the set to give them a .139 hitting percentage.

Purdue would take the early advantage in set two, but Tennessee would roar back to lock the game up at 15 apiece. A 4-0 run by the Boilermakers late in the set would create a deficit the Lady Vols could not shrink to give them a two set advantage.

Tennessee turned up their game offensively in the third set, led by Chapman who had nine kills in the frame and a robust .533 hitting percentage. An 11-1 run by Tennessee midway through the frame helped lead the comeback effort and eventual third set win. The Big Orange held Purdue to a .167 hitting percentage in the third, with Purdue only able to earn 12 kills. After a back and forth start to the fourth set, Purdue would create some separation due to a 7-1 run. The Lady Vols would push for a comeback effort with an 8-4 swing late in the fourth, but Purdue thwarted the comeback push to take the set 25-20.

Up next the Lady Vols return to Knoxville for a trio of matches at Food City Center next week. The Big Orange host Wofford on Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m., before a pair of Friday contests against Samford at 1:00 p.m. and Winthrop at 7:00 p.m. to close out the week.