WEST LAFAYETTE − Ryan McAleer is the smallest player on Purdue volleyball's roster. She's also the loudest. On a team with some soft-spoken leaders, McAleer is the contrast to balance it out. The 5-foot-6 Boilermaker libero's voice echoes through Holloway Gymnasium during a preseason practice, even during drills in which a lot of sounds are drowned out by bouncing balls and coach instructions. "I've always kind of been really out there, extroverted," McAleer said. "That's always kind of been who I am." Perhaps it stems from being the youngest child in a sports-centric household, which includes two older siblings who also became Division I athletes.
Whether it stems from her upbringing in Overland Park, Kansas, or it's just a natural charisma, it's the identity Purdue needs to bring together a team entering the season ranked ninth in the coaches poll. "She's the heart and soul of our team," Purdue coach Dave Shondell said. "We've got some veteran players who do a great job and are totally committed, but she brings a certain spirit that the rest of them don't bring. "She's the most natural leader that we have on our team." That's not lost on the Boilermakers, who return three All-Americans in Kenna Wollard, Taylor Anderson and Grace Heaney. Without the voice to tie everything together, the talent only matters so much. "(McAleer) has a really fun personality that the whole team can really feed off of," middle blocker Bianka Lulić said. "The libero is a position that is defensively in charge, so it is important to have a big character in that position." On a team with a lot of talent, someone gets lost in the accolade department. More: Purdue volleyball makes statement with Elite 8 run, 'we not dead' McAleer, a second-team All-Big Ten honoree a year ago, was not one of the 19 players named to the Big Ten's 2026 preseason all-conference team. Purdue typically turns athletes who were six-rotation players in high school and club seasons into ball control players. It makes sense, Shondell says, to have a 5-foot-10 or 5-11 player who can cover more ground and train them specifically as a backcourt option. McAleer stands nearly half a foot short of those measurements, but her talent makes up for it.
"McAleer is one of the best liberos in the country. Mark it down. There's no doubt about it," said Shondell, who was adamant she'll receive Big Ten recognition when the postseason all-conference team comes out after the season. Twice last season, McAleer was Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. She ranked second in the league in digs per set. According to McAleer, her first season transitioning to become Purdue's libero was just getting her feet wet, meaning a bigger season could be in store her junior year. Her outspoken persona blends into her playing style. Despite being Purdue's shortest player, McAleer is the Boilermakers' biggest when it comes to personality. "I love to have fun, but I am also insanely competitive," McAleer said. "Winning is the goal. It's everything to me. Having that intensity balance with some of our soft-spoken girls is something that's super beneficial and Dave has been able to notice that and foster all of our personalities." 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 Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue volleyball's 'heart and soul' packaged in Boilers' shortest player