Atkinson, Nichol Sign with U.S. Indoor Pro Volleyball League

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue volleyball All-Americans Sherridan Atkinson (2016-18) and Val Nichol (2011-2014) signed to the first pro indoor women's volleyball league in the United States.
Set to compete in Nashville in February 2021, the Athletes Unlimited league was formed in partnership with USA Volleyball. The league will be condensed into six weeks of intense play. Every week, the top four players become captains and will draft their teammates from scratch for the next week's competition.
 
The Boilermaker are a part of a 40-player roster, made up of the world's top players. Purdue is one of three Big Ten programs to send at least two alums to the league, joining Minnesota (three) and Penn State (two). In total, six Big Ten programs were represented with Ohio State (one), Nebraska (one) and Wisconsin (one) joining the ranks.
 
Atkinson was named an All-American in 2016 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as a third-team selection, and honorable mention by PrepVolleyball and Volleyball Magazine. Atkinson, a unanimous All-Big Ten selection, set career-best totals with 394 kills and a 3.40 kills per set average on 855 swings to record a .322 hitting percentage as a senior. Following her collegiate career, the 6-5 opposite played two stints in Turkey since January 2019, most recently for Nilüfer Belediyespor in the top league in the world.
 
Nichol, a two-time All-American, garnered AVCA third-team honors in 2013 followed by an honorable mention selection a year later. After graduation, the setter continued her career overseas for five seasons, playing for professional club teams in Germany and Poland, guiding her teams to championship appearances. Nichol reached the championship and national cup finals during the 2015-16 season, before winning the German Super Cup and the Coppa di Germany a year later. During her time in West Lafayette, Nichol became the Purdue record-holder with four career triple-doubles and added 30 double-doubles during her collegiate career. Additionally, Nichol was named to the NCAA Champaign Regional All-Tournament Team for her performance in the 2013 NCAA tournament run.
 
The inaugural volleyball season from February 26 to April 4, 2021.