She's got the moves like Jager. Jaidyn Jager has been styled for the spotlight this season as she reaches a new career high of 500 kills just before going into Big Ten play. Applying pressure alongside Jager is Teodora Kričković, who would also set a career high of 1,500 assists for the Indiana Hoosiers coming out of the non-conference schedule.
Kričković also led the way Thursday against UCLA with three aces right off the jump while also recording 36 assists to wrap up the match against UCLA. Jager recorded 13 kills, 11 digs and three blocks. Thanks to this dynamic duo, the Indiana Hoosiers were able to sweep UCLA in three straight sets (27-25, 25-19, 25-19).
“When she becomes a great leader, she is going to become one of the better players in the conference,” Indiana head coach Steve Aird said of Kričković after IU’s win over Texas A&M earlier this season. “She is working on it, and it’s a hard thing to do while coming to a new country and getting acclimated.”
Kričković’s leadership role started her freshman year and has continued to multiply in her sophomore season with the Hoosiers. Her advocacy in 2025 undoubtedly went unnoticed with an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American (2025), First Team All-Big Ten (2025), Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2025), AVCA Midwest All-Region (2025), AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year (2025), Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Oct. 6, 2025), Big Ten Setter of the Week (Sept. 8, 2025).
“And again she's a sophomore,” Aird says after the match against UCLA. “She had a really nice freshman year, she worked hard in the offseason.”
As a freshman last season, Jager was named Second Team All-Big Ten (2025), Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2025), AVCA Midwest All-Region (2025), Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice (Sept. 8, 2025, Nov. 3, 2025), and finished off her season with a Sweet 16 run.
“The best teams all have a stick, a kid that's gonna get you points, get you out of trouble, hit in the front row and the back row and all of the above,” Aird said about Jager. “That's part of her role.”
Jager was a great addition to the Hoosiers' success against UCLA in the first game going into Big Ten play. Deep in the third set, she was able to facilitate a huge kill off a breathtaking rally, leaving UCLA behind with no chance to catch up. With nearly 2,000 in attendance at Wilkinson Hall, Jager's electricity demanded all the attention she's been getting this year.
As the Hoosiers move forward, with a matchup against Maryland this Saturday, the connection between Kričković and Jager will continue to be an important part of Indiana's success. Their ability to create opportunities for one another has become noticeable throughout this season, especially when the pressure begins to rise. With both sophomores reaching career milestones this week, while their season remains far from over, you can only expect more on the horizon.
The spotlight is only getting brighter for Jager and Kričković, no one is backing away from it. If their performances against UCLA are any indication, these two are ready to turn up the heat as the Hoosiers enter the heart of Big Ten play.
