WEST LAFAYETTE — Before the first serve of Purdue volleyball's Wednesday night match against Georgia at Mackey Arena, the Boilermakers got a motivational boost. All-American outside hitter Kenna Wollard was on the sideline with her team, dressed in street clothes. Wollard, who last season was a second-team All-American and Midwest Region Player of the Year who entered 2026 on the preseason National Player of the Year watch list, announced on social media last week she would be taking a hiatus "with an unexpected health issue that will keep me away for a little while."
Wollard was not present in Purdue's season opener against Creighton in South Dakota or for Tuesday's home win over Texas A&M. Kenna's journey: How this 'volleyball machine' has shown so much more in Purdue's surprise season
Kenna Wollard is in the building and named as a Purdue honorary starter. pic.twitter.com/SaLjw6zKfp — Sam King (@samueltking) September 3, 2026 During starter introductions, Purdue public address announcer Carson Tucker named Wollard as an honorary starter. Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: All-American returns as Purdue volleyball honorary starter vs Georgia