Alonso-Corcelles Brings Happiness, Comfort to Volleyball Court
9/3/2025 1:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Leadership matters. Candela Alonso-Corcelles understands that, lives it, actually. And if it's taken four years to fully embrace, that's part of the process.
It's not just what the senior outside hitter does on the volleyball court -- although if you saw the 20 kills she unleashed in IU's dramatic rally to beat Miami (Fla.) in last week's season opener, you understand her impact -- that could take the Hoosiers to special heights.
It's the off-the-court actions, the meaningful words, the compassion, the insight and, yes, the cheerful personality that blows away any negativity. It makes the all the difference, separates good from great and pushes one from trying to lead to actually doing it.
"As a senior, I have more responsibility leadership-wise," Alonso-Corcelles says. "What I can bring now that I've been here for four years.
"I've been improving a lot, not just playing wise but mentally. It's how to be more of a leader."
Leadership has grown along with her familiarity with English. The Spanish native struggled with the language when first arriving in the fall of 2022. As that improved, head coach Steve Aird says, so did everything else.
"She's a lot more comfortable with herself. She understands the language. When she got here. she didn't have a firm grasp of it. That got better.
"Her teammates and the environment are better. She's a lot more comfortable. She's always done well in school. She's a very bright kid. She's more herself."
Heralded freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager is among the Hoosiers reaping the benefits.
"She's an amazing player to look up to," Jager says. "We're in the same position. She not only inspires me, she inspires everybody. She has an amazing attitude. She's a very happy person. I really look up to that."
Happiness doesn't mean Alonso-Corcelles foregoes the seriousness necessary for elite play. She's totaled 29 kills in IU's 2-0 start -- the Hoosiers also swept VCU in Florida -- and will look for more entering this week's Indiana Invitational at Wilkinson Hall. They host SEMO on Thursday night and Northern Kentucky and Western Michigan on Friday.
"I can be better playing wise," she says. "Since our team is so competitive, it's another level for me. It's leadership and helping the team succeed."
Much of that centers on Alonso-Corcelles' offensive ability. She had a team-leading 409 kills last season.
"I would not be able to do that without my teammates," she says. "I can't score without them. If I don't have a good set, a good pass, it won't happen.
"It's thanks to my team and how we play and practice. We are 100 percent together every day. I'm surrounded by good people and players."
Alonso-Corcelles is also surrounded by strong coaches who have developed her to elevate her game and withstand the rigors of major college volleyball.
"It's the lifting and conditioning," she says. "I need to be strong to be able to do that."
She also needs to be volleyball wise. She has the experience and intelligence -- she's a two-time academic All-Big Ten selection -- to make it happen.
"I feel like I've played for a long time. I know the game. I know what's my shot and what I need to do in certain positions. It's knowing the game. I have a good volleyball IQ."
Alonso-Corcelles' success comes in part from a live-life-to-the-fullest approach, a product of her Spanish heritage. She says her dream job is to own a winery.
"I come from Spain. It's big wine country. I love wine and being around family and friends. I've always been into having a winery and doing events at a winery. It's my dream job."
Aird smiles when asked about that dream.
"She has an incredible demeanor. Whether the team plays well and wins, or plays poorly and loses, she's always steady. There's more to her than just the game.
"She'll be a pro and will play for a long time, but volleyball doesn't define her. She's just a really happy kid. She likes good food and wine. She's Spanish and she lives in a way that I envy. I wish I could be more like her in how she views life."
Volleyball might not define Alonso-Corcelles, but it could help her make a living after this season.
"I want to play pro," she says. "It would be so nice to be in an environment like that. That's your dream when you are young if you play volleyball. I love it."
For now, love centers on building a team capable of making a postseason run in the Big Ten, the nation's best volleyball conference.
"It's a really good league," Alonso-Corcelles says. "I feel like it's the best league ever for people 18 to 22-years-old. It's so amazing.
"You have thousands of people watching you. Before I came here, I never had that. The environment and being able to play at such a competitive level, it makes me want to keep doing it."
