All roads finally lead back to Westwood.

No. 24 UCLA women’s volleyball (8-4, 2-0 Big Ten) is set to play its home opener in Pauley Pavilion against No. 13 Purdue (10-2, 1-1) on Thursday night, before taking on Indiana (11-1, 2-0) on Saturday night. This weekend marks the Boilermakers’ and Hoosiers’ first-ever visit to Westwood.

Although being on the road for so long may not be ideal, the Bruins made the most out of it. With 10 new faces, five weeks away from home may have been a blessing in disguise. Nonetheless, the squad is eager to come back home.

“We’re just ready,” said coach Alfee Reft. “Get us home. We’re ready to be training in our facilities this week and play in front of our fans. The time spent together was a necessity for our group. So we’re coming out of this more refined and a better unit, both on the court and off the court.”

In their first two matches of conference play, the Bruins showed glimpses of their newfound identity. However, the team will continue to be tested as they prepare to face their fourth ranked opponent of the season.

The Boilermakers bring a strong hitting arsenal, led by outside hitter Kenna Wollard, who boasts 212 kills – good for second in the Big Ten, while the squad’s 654 kills ranks third in the conference.

Marianna Singletary will be at the net to stifle the Boilermaker’s attack. The redshirt junior middle blocker is sixth in the Big Ten with 57 blocks. Sophomore defensive specialist/libero Lola Schumacher – who earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors on Monday – continues to fortify the backline with 4.25 digs per set.

In arguably the most difficult conference in collegiate women’s volleyball, every match will be a battle, and after being swept by the Hoosiers last season, the Bruins may be out for redemption.

“Big Ten opponents are always great,” said freshman outside hitter Eliana Urzua. “They’re always going to be tough matches and teams are going to play their best game.”

Indiana is currently third in the nation in hitting percentage with a .321 clip. The Hoosiers feature outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles, who boasts 150 kills on a .315 hitting percentage, and opposite hitter Avry Tatum, who has posted 142 kills on a .402 clip.

UCLA’s offense, by comparison, falls short, ranked 116th nationally in hitting percentage and 126th in overall kills per set. Although the Bruins’ dynamic outside hitter duo could spoil the Boilermakers’ and Hoosiers’ party.

Urzua and senior Cheridyn Leverette have continued to anchor the offense for the Bruins. The latter leads the squad with 153 kills with an average of 3.48 kills-per-set, while Urzua – who earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors on Monday – follows close behind with 120.

While UCLA will enter the weekend as the statistical underdog, the squad will be able to carry last weekend’s energy into its next matches against Big Ten foes. The Bruins have shown that it just time to build a bond on the court, and now they have the chance to develop it in front of a home crowd.

“This team has ten new people, so I think we’re all super excited to compete on our home floor for the first time this season,” Leverette said. “We’re just super fired up.”