No. 13 Purdue Stuns No. 24 UCLA with Reverse Sweep
Boilermakers Rally from Two Sets Down
In a dramatic night at Pauley Pavilion, No. 13 Purdue stormed back from a two-set deficit to defeat No. 24 UCLA in a five-set thriller (17-25, 22-25, 29-27, 25-23, 15-11). The match, played before an energetic Westwood crowd, marked UCLA’s long-awaited home opener after weeks on the road but ended in heartbreak for the Bruins, who squandered four match points in the third set.
The victory improved Purdue to 11-2 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play, while UCLA slipped to 8-5 and 2-1. The Boilermakers’ comeback was fueled by a career night from junior outside hitter Kenna Wollard, whose 33 kills on .369 hitting were the most by a Purdue player since 2014.
Bruins Strike First
UCLA looked every bit the favorite in the opening two sets. Behind the steady hand of setter Kate Duffey and the offensive firepower of freshman Eliana Urzua and senior Cheridyn Leverette, the Bruins dominated the first set 25-17. Middle blockers Marianna Singletary and Brooklyn Briscoe controlled the net, each delivering key blocks and kills as UCLA hit .351 while holding Purdue to just .094.
The second set proved more competitive, with 10 ties and several lead changes. Purdue grabbed a 17-14 advantage, but UCLA responded with a late surge. Leverette’s cross-court swing gave the Bruins a 23-22 edge, and they closed on a 3-0 run to win 25-22, building what appeared to be an insurmountable 2-0 lead.
Turning Point in Set Three
The third set changed everything. UCLA jumped to a 4-1 start, only to see Purdue rally with a 4-0 run to even the score. From there, it became a battle of nerves. The Bruins held four match points, including opportunities at 24-23, 25-24, and 26-25. But Purdue refused to fold.
Wollard tallied 11 kills in the set, while setter Taylor Anderson kept the Boilermakers steady with precise distribution. Ultimately, Purdue outlasted UCLA 29-27, denying the Bruins the sweep and swinging momentum to the visitors.
Boilers Complete the Comeback
Energized by their third-set escape, the Boilermakers carried the momentum into the fourth. Despite an early UCLA push that cut Purdue’s lead to 15-13, the visitors surged ahead with a 6-1 run to create separation. The Bruins made one last rally, narrowing the score to 24-23, but a service error handed Purdue the set 25-23.
In the decisive fifth, the teams traded points early, with Leverette and Singletary combining for a block to give UCLA a 7-6 lead at the switch. But Purdue closed with poise, hitting .429 in the set while holding the Bruins to .000. Fittingly, Wollard delivered the 15th and final point with her 33rd kill, sealing the 3-2 victory.
Star Performances
For Purdue, Wollard’s historic 33-kill night placed her alongside legends of the program, becoming just the fourth Boilermaker ever to reach that total in a single match. Anderson added a double-double with 50 assists and 10 digs, while also contributing four blocks. Purdue out-blocked UCLA 11-8.5 and denied four match points in the third set—moments that defined the comeback.
UCLA saw standout efforts from Urzua, who posted a career-high 22 kills and 11 digs for a double-double, and Leverette, who added 17 kills. Briscoe and Singletary chipped in with 10 and 11 kills, respectively, as Duffey racked up a career-best 62 assists.
Crowd and Atmosphere
Though Pauley Pavilion was overwhelmingly filled with Bruin blue, Purdue head coach Dave Shondell credited the small but loud Boilermaker contingent that made the trip to Los Angeles. He noted afterward that while UCLA had the numbers, Purdue fans were louder and gave the team an emotional boost during its rally.
The energy inside the arena reflected the stakes. For UCLA, it was the homecoming match after five weeks away; for Purdue, it was a chance to prove itself against another ranked opponent. The Boilermakers left with their third ranked win of the season and their first-ever victory at UCLA.
What It Means
The loss was particularly bitter for UCLA, which had the chance to secure its fourth straight win and build momentum heading into Saturday’s match against Indiana. Instead, the Bruins were left to regroup after letting a top-15 opponent off the hook.
For Purdue, the victory was a testament to resilience and depth. It marked their second consecutive year pulling off a reverse sweep against a ranked opponent on the road and reinforced their position as one of the Big Ten’s toughest teams.
Looking Ahead
UCLA remains at home to face Indiana on Saturday, October 4, in a match streamed on B1G+. The Hoosiers arrive with an 11-1 record and a strong offensive attack, presenting another challenge for the Bruins.
Purdue continues its West Coast trip, facing No. 17 USC on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network. With momentum on their side and Wollard in historic form, the Boilermakers look to add another ranked win to their resume.








