Coaching Staff
Head Coach
Dave Shondell
A legacy from one of the best-known families in American volleyball, Dave Shondell has firmly secured the tradition of Purdue volleyball among the nation’s best.
A proven success as a program builder, recruiter and game strategist, two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year Shondell enters his 20th year at the helm of Boilermaker volleyball, having joined the staff on Feb. 13, 2003. Joined by associate head coach John Shondell and assistant head coach - recruiting coordinator Kathy Jewell, Shondell leads the longest tenured coaching staff in the Power Five and is one of eight active head coaches to celebrate 20 or more years at their institution (including one of two in the Big Ten).
Only the fourth head coach to lead the Boilermakers, Shondell enters the 2022 season a .668 overall winning percentage. During his tenure, Shondell has led Purdue to 16 NCAA Tournament berths in the last 19 years, including nine Sweet 16 appearances and four Elite Eight appearances in 2021, 2020, 2013 and 2010.
Purdue’s postseason success under Shondell has led the program to become one of 13 in the nation with at least eight Sweet 16 appearances in the last 15 years. Meanwhile, Shondell holds elite company as one of only nine head coaches to lead their team in 39 NCAA matches during the same time frame.
Named the Big Ten Conference and regional Coach of the Year in both 2021 and 2011, the Indiana native has also transformed Purdue into a perennial Big Ten and national contender with 414 victories to his name. Additionally, the 2021 season saw his 400th victory with Purdue (at Illinois on 10/7/21, W 3-2) and his 600th match (vs. Rutgers on 10/2/21, W, 3-0).
In his first season, Shondell led the Boilermakers to two top-25 wins and the program's first win over Ohio State in Columbus since 1988. In the past 16 years, Purdue has made 13 NCAA tournament appearances, advancing to the second round each season, making the program one of 11 nationally to do so.
The Boilermakers have posted 13 20-win seasons, including 29 victories in 2011, the program's highest total since 1985. Purdue has defeated 71 ranked teams and climbed the Big Ten standings, finishing second in 2011, the team's best finish since 1987. Overall, 40 of those 71 victories were played in West Lafayette, and the Boilermakers were the lesser ranked team in 30 of those contests.
In addition to Purdue’s successful record, Shondell has coached the Boilermakers to 18 All-Americans and eight Academic All-Americans. His charges also have earned 74 All-Big Ten, one Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and 193 Academic All-Big Ten accolades.
2003:
The 2003 Boilermakers posted a 14-17 record to kick off the Shondell era. The squad finished eighth in the Big Ten, while earning several milestone victories, including a sweep of Indiana.
2004:
In 2004, Purdue ended a 14-year absence from the NCAA Tournament and posted a 17-15 overall mark. The Boilermakers knocked off four Top 25 opponents in a season for the first time since 1985, and earned their first national ranking since 1990 with the No. 24 spot in the Sept. 6 AVCA Coaches Poll. The team topped No. 9 Colorado State in the NCAA first round, marking Purdue's first postseason win since the 1987 NCAA Tournament.
2005:
In 2005, Shondell guided the Boilermakers to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time since 1987. Purdue spent 13 weeks among the nation's top 25, and saw setter Renata Dargan become the program's first All-American since 1989, as she earned honorable mention accolades. The team finished with a 25-9 mark, the most wins for the program since 1985, including a 12-8 Big Ten record.
2006:
In 2006, the Boilermakers continued to thrive in the national spotlight, making their second-straight Sweet 16 appearance, while spending the entire season ranked among the nation's Top 25. Purdue posted a 23-11 overall mark, including a fifth-place finish in Big Ten play. The effort marked the first time Purdue had registered back-to-back 20-win seasons and back-to-back winning Big Ten finishes since the 1984 and 1985 campaigns.
2007:
The 2007 Boilermakers managed a 19-14 record, including a third-place Big Ten finish, its best since 1990. Purdue advanced to the NCAA Tournament second round for the fourth-straight season.
2008:
The 2008 season brought the Boilermakers their third NCAA Sweet 16 berth and saw the team post its highest overall and conference win totals since 1985 and 1987. Stephanie Lynch was named as the program's first AVCA first team All-America selection since 1985 as Purdue went 26-9, including a 13-7 Big Ten mark and fourth-place finish.
2009:
In 2009, the Boilermakers posted a 14-17 mark, including a seventh-place Big Ten finish and two wins over ranked foes with a lineup that included just two seniors.
2010:
The 2010 season was a banner year for the Boilermakers as the team advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1982, knocked of a top five foe for the first time in program history and continued on to best top-ranked Florida in the Sweet 16. With a 24-11 overall mark and 12-8 Big Ten record, the team finished fourth in the league. Setter Jaclyn Hart earned third team All-America honors and was a unanimous All-Big Ten selection.
2011:
In 2011, the Boilermakers advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time since 2005. Headlined by first team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year Ariel Turner, Purdue posted a 29-5 record, including a 16-4 second place mark in Big Ten play. Shondell was named AVCA Mideast Region and Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading his team to its best league mark since 1985 and best conference finish since 1987. The Boilermakers, which ranked as high as eighth nationally, defeated seven ranked opponents. Turner became Purdue's first volleyball dual All-American since 1984, garnering first team AVCA All-America and second team Academic All-America honors. Tiffany Fisher's honorable mention selection gave Purdue its first pair of All-Americans since 1984.
2012:
The 2012 season brought Purdue its sixth NCAA Sweet 16 berth, saw the team defeat five ranked foes and play host to the NCAA Regionals in Mackey Arena. The Boilermakers went 23-11, including a fifth-place Big Ten finish, while ranking among the Top 25 throughout the season and finishing the season at No. 15. Ariel Turner brought home Academic All-American of the Year and second team AVCA All-America honors.
2013:
In 2013, the Boilermakers ended the season ranked eighth nationally after advancing to the Elite Eight, posting a 23-12 overall record, defeating a program-record eight ranked opponents and finishing sixth in the Big Ten. Val Nichol received AVCA All-America third team honors, while KiKi Jones garnered honorable mention acclaim. Two Boilermakers garnered All-Big Ten and three earned All-Region accolades. More than 40,000 fans came to see Purdue play at home, ranking the team 16th in national attendance average (2,532).
2014:
A roster including eight freshmen managed a 22-10 record, finished fifth in the Big Ten and was ranked throughout the season in 2014, but was left out of the NCAA field due to RPI considerations. Purdue recorded its 800th program victory against Michigan on Sept. 26 and defeated two ranked foes. Val Nichol and Annie Drews earned honorable mention All-America, all-region and All-Big Ten honors. Danielle Cuttino was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman team.
2015:
The 2015 team returned to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year absence, advancing to the second round, while reaching the 20-win milestone for the sixth-straight season, finishing fifth in the Big Ten and defeating three ranked opponents (No. 22 Michigan, No. 18 Illinois and No. 3 Minnesota). The Boilermakers (23-10, 13-7 Big Ten) were ranked in 14 of the 15 AVCA National Top 25 polls, peaking at No. 14 on Nov. 23 and rounding out the year at No. 17. Outside hitter Annie Drews and middle blockers Faye Adelaja and Danielle Cuttino earned AVCA All-America honors, marking the first time three Boilermakers had done so in the same season in program history. The trio also earned AVCA All-Northeast Region honors, while Drews was a unanimous All-Big Ten selection and Adelaja earned honorable mention acclaim. Eight players garnered Academic All-Big Ten honors.
2016:
In 2016, Purdue finished with an overall record of 19-14 and finished 10th in the conference with an 8-12 record against Big Ten opponents. The campaign featured 15 matches against 13 NCAA Tournament opponents, contributing to Purdue's 28th overall RPI ranking. Purdue was selected to its 11th NCAA Tournament in 13 years, in large part due to key non- conference wins over the 2016 national champion, #9 Stanford and #4 Kansas. Overall, the Boilermakers earned 13 of its victories over top-75 RPI teams, six of which were ranked in the top 50. Purdue's final victory of the regular season came in five sets at Maryland, marking Shondell's 300th career victory, all of which are at Purdue. Danielle Cuttino was a unanimous All-Big Ten selection and an AVCA First Team All-Region honoree in her first season competing on the outside for the Boilermakers and Ashley Evans was selected Academic All-Conference, All-District and Second Team All-America. Shondell brought 22 years of experience to the Boilermaker sidelines.
2017:
In 2017 Purdue finished the season 23-10 with a 12-8 record in the Big Ten, marking the 10th season Shondell has led the Boilermakers to at least 20 wins and 10 conference wins. The effort placed Purdue fifth in the Big Ten, and the Boilermakers finished the year ranked 18th in the nation. It was the 10th year under Shondell that the Boilermakers finished fifth or better in the nation's toughest volleyball conference and the third time in program history Purdue was ranked all 16 weeks of the AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
The season was highlighted wins over four top-10 teams in the regular season, a first time in program history: No. 9 Creighton, 3-1 / No. 5 Minnesota, 3-1 / No. 10 Wisconsin, 3-0 / No. 10 Michigan State, 3-1. Purdue also ranked among the top three offenses in the country the majority of the season and finished with a .301 hitting percentage on the year in order to surpass its previous all-time best mark of .285 set in 1982.
The Boilermakers concluded the season with two All-Big Ten selections, four AVCA All-Northeast Region selections and three AVCA All-America honorees for the first time in program history. The Boilermakers also had four Academic All-Big Ten honorees, one CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and one CoSIDA Academic All-American.
2018:
Powered by a 24-win campaign, including a perfect 12-0 non-conference record, the No. 17 Purdue volleyball team capped off an exciting season with its 20th program appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Boilermakers dominated the opening-round with a sweep against ETSU before falling to No. 10 Kentucky on its home court. For a second consecutive year, the Boilermakers finished fifth in the Big Ten with a 12-8 conference mark. Highlighting B1G play was Purdue’s first road victory (3-2) over No. 6 Penn State since 1982. Purdue’s catalysts for the historical victory was redshirt senior Sherridan Atkinson, who notched a career-high 32 kills and was named the Sports Import /AVCA National Player of the Week. To end the season, Atkinson along with junior Blake Mohler were recognized as All-Big Ten and AVCA Northeast Region selections. Guiding the Boilermakers with a Big Ten best 546 kills, Atkinson became Purdue’s fifth first-team All-American, while Mohler paced the defense with 140 blocks to earn third team honors. In addition to its success on the court, Purdue also held a record-breaking nine sellouts in Holloway Gymnasium, playing for over 39,840 fans, the 13th largest accumulative attendance in the nation.
2019:
In 2019, Shondell guided the Boilermakers to a 24-8 record (14-6 in the Big Ten) and an NCAA Regional appearance. Purdue’s .700 win percentage in conference play was the best by a Boilermaker team since 2011. Additionally, Purdue hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2011 as well. The Boilermakers swept Wright State in the opening round, followed by a 3-1 victory over No. 16-ranked Marquette, where the team produced 28 total blocks –a program best in the NCAA tournament. For the Sweet 16, Purdue traveled to Waco, Texas where it fell to the No. 1 overall seed and host, Baylor, in four sets. Overall, Purdue secured six victories over ranked opponents, with three earned on Belin Court—including the memorable five-set thriller over No. 5 Nebraska. Three Boilermakers were named AVCA All-Americans in Grace Cleveland (third-team), Blake Mohler (honorable mention) and Caitlyn Newton (honorable mention). The trio also received All-Big Ten recognition with Cleveland and Mohler named first-team and Newton second-team honorees. Making Holloway a formidable presence for their opponents, Purdue fans continued to pack the gym, selling out a record-breaking 11 matches, including nine of 10 Big Ten showdowns.
2020:
After COVID-19 moved the 2020 season to the Spring 2021, the Purdue Boilermakers played a Big Ten-only schedule before securing its third NCAA Regional Finals appearance in program history, where they lost to the eventual national champions Kentucky. Finishing the season 16-7 record (.696 winning percentage), the Boilermakers earned a first-round bye in the NCAA tournament hosted in Omaha, before sweeping High Point in the Second Round followed by a 3-1 victory over Oregon before falling to then-No. 2 Kentucky in straight sets. Purdue capped off its season No. 7 in the final AVCA poll, tying the highest ranking Purdue ever received and set a new final-ranking best. Purdue had a record-setting postseason awards resume after receiving program-bests with four All-America nods (first team Grace Cleveland, third team Caitlyn Newton and honorable mentions Hayley Bush and Jena Otec), five All-Region honorees and five Big Ten postseason awards, including the first Defensive Player of the Year in Otec. Statistically, Purdue’s efforts resulted in multiple national rankings, including fourth in blocks per set (2.95), 23rd in both kills (1,111) and assists (1,032) and was the best receiving team in the Big Ten with a 0.86 opponent service ace mark and 16.0 digs per set.
Purdue’s 2022 season was a year of defying expectations after graduating virtually the entire 2021 starting lineup, including three AVCA All-Americans and the 2020 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Before the season began, the Boilers were picked to finish eighth in the Big Ten without a single preseason All-Big Ten honoree, but that perspective quickly changed once play began. Purdue got off to a strong start, finishing non-conference play 9-1 and opening the Big Ten season with the program’s best start in 37 years at 5-0. The team's talent culminated in a program-record 14 Big Ten weekly awards, the second-highest ranking in the team’s history at No. 5, a sixth-place finish in the Big Ten, a 21-11 record, three All-Big Ten selections, the first Big Ten Freshman of the Year recipient under Dave Shondell, two All-Northeast Region award winners, an AVCA All-America Honorable Mention in Eva Hudson, and an NCAA Second Round appearance before finishing No. 20 in the final AVCA poll. All the while backed by the best fans in the nation, supporting the Boilermakers in 14 sellouts in 15 home matches and helped to make Holloway Gymnasium the toughest place to play in the Big Ten.
2023:
One of the most common words used to describe the team was youth. The other was grit. In the program’s storied history, few, if not any, have matched the absolute tenacity and fight that the squad showed in the span of just a few months. With one of the most talented freshman classes Purdue has ever seen, it was also one of the youngest, with 64% of the team made up of underclassmen. After eight different Boilermakers started a set for the first time in their career during the opening weekend of play, they continued to be test and quickly, the narrative shifted from the youth of the team, to the undeniable grit with which they played. After more than a few truly heart pounding and exciting matches, the squad went on to finish with a 23-8 (15-5 Big Ten) record, taking down Penn State twice, Minnesota twice and Wisconsin on their way to a third-place finish in the Big Ten standings and 13th in the nation. The Boilermakers set both team and individual records in the NCAA First and Second Rounds before their season ended in the NCAA Regional Semifinals. Purdue tied a program-best six Big Ten postseason honors, four earning All-Region accolades and Eva Hudson, Raven Colvin and Chloe Chicoine going on to be recognized at the All-America level. Purdue went 11-5 versus teams ranked or receiving votes and 6-4 versus top-25 opponents and re-writing the record book in multiple categories, including Hudson becoming the fastest Boilermaker in program history to reach 1,000 career kills. Throughout the entirety of the season, the team was backed by a Boiler Nation that came out in full force with a complete season sellout, the first in program history.
Prior to Purdue:
Shondell began his coaching career as an assistant men's volleyball coach at Ball State during the 1980-81 season. He then became head volleyball coach at Daleville High School in 1981, a position he held until 1988. From 1986 to 1988, Shondell's Daleville squad owned a top-five state ranking and posted a 167-63 overall record (.726), the best winning percentage by any coach ever at the school.
Following his time at Daleville, Shondell worked with some of the top youth in the nation as assistant coach for the USA Junior National Team during the 1998-99 season, helping the team win the NORCECA Games in Cuernavaca, Mexico, to earn a bid to the world championships.
Shondell continued his coaching career at Muncie Central High School, where he led the Bearcats to four state titles over 13 years, including the 2002 championship, and a 428-52 record (.891), good for the second-best winning percentage in Indiana high school volleyball history. Under his leadership, Muncie Central won 56 consecutive North Central Conference matches from 1995 to 2001, and was the only public school to be ranked in the top 25 nationally each year since 1993. Three Muncie Central players earned high school All-America honors on Shondell's watch. Shondell earned national coach of the year honors from studentsports.com after guiding his 2002 team to a 39-1 record, a state title and a No. 2 ranking in the Student Sports Fab 50.
Shondell also served as the program co-director and head coach of the Munciana Club for 15 years. During his tenure 12 Munciana teams won USA Volleyball national championships. The club also was honored for the best overall performance by a club for 12 consecutive years at the national championships, and Shondell's teams finished in the top five in the nation every year since 1991.
Home Grown:
Shondell, a Muncie, Indiana, native, earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and health from Ball State in 1981, and finished his master's at the school in 1985. Shondell and his wife, Angela, have four adult children: Karli, Lindsay, Ashlee and Kyle. Lindsay graduated from Purdue in May of 2007, following a three-year playing career, while Kyle graduated in May of 2012.
COACHING STAFF
 Kathy Jewell Associate Head Coach - Recruiting Coordinator
 John Klanac Assistant Coach
 Emily Hill Assistant Coach
 Carrie Gurnell Supervisor of Volleyball Operations
 Kelly Borges Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning
 Ben Cutrone Graduate Manager
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