Purdue hopes to bounce back on Belin Court against Michigan & Michigan State

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Purdue Boilermakers (14-7, 5-5 Big Ten) return home to face Michigan and Michigan State after a four-match road swing on Friday night.

The Boilermakers are looking to bounce back after dropping four-set matches to Indiana and No. 10 Minnesota last week. Friday's match is Dig For A Cure night, so fans are encouraged to wear pink, bring canned goods for donation to a local food pantry and bid in a silent auction during the match.

“I still believe in this team. I'm still excited about this team. I still love walking into the gym with this team. And I don't think anybody in the country wants to see our name next to theirs when the NCAA Tournament is drawn,” said Purdue head coach Dave Shondell.

If the Boilermakers can return to their winning ways against Michigan, the gold and black will move to 15-7 on the season and 6-5 in Big Ten play and snap a two-match losing streak. Purdue will also be looking to win the season series against the Wolverines.

“We took them to five so we know they're very competitive teams. And we know they're going to come back in here wanting revenge,” said outside hitter Val Nichol.

The Michigan Wolverines (16-8, 4-6 Big Ten) have dropped five of their last seven matches entering Friday's match with Purdue. UM returns seven letterwinners, including four starters from the 2011 team which went 22-13 and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16.

The Boilermakers fell four spots to No. 21 in the AVCA Coaches Poll after spending two weeks at No. 17.

On August 27, the team was ranked seventh, a listing which tied the highest ranking in program history, matching the No. 7 listing from Nov. 14, 1983. Purdue was ranked No. 9 in the 2012 Preseason AVCA Coaches Poll, marking their highest starting listing in program history.

This week's ranking is Purdue's 124th all-time since the AVCA polls began in 1982, including preseason and postseason listings.

“I don't think anybody really wants to play us. We're going to be very dangerous. If we win enough matches to get in the NCAA Tournament,” said Shondell.