Redshirt sophomore Whitney Beck lobs a ball over the net, helping the team sweep Wright State. Photo by Jimmy Lafakis.
JIMMY LAFAKIS | STAFF REPORTER | jlafakis@butler.edu
The Butler volleyball team won three straight matches to obtain the Butler Classic title over the weekend.
The Bulldogs defeated the Tennessee State Tigers and the Murray State Racers on Sept. 9, and clinched the tournament by beating the Wright State Raiders on Sept. 10.
Sophomore Anna Logan led the way for the Bulldogs against Tennessee State. Logan contributed 17 kills on 27 total attacks along with nine digs in the 25-13, 25-21, 25-14 sweep. Logan praised Butler’s serving and passing.
“When we pass well, we stay in system and are able to run our offense well,” she said. “When we serve well, we get the other team out of system and it becomes way easier for us.”
Murray State gave the Bulldogs a tougher test, but Butler dispatched of their second foe in four sets.The final scores were 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 25-17.
Junior Makayla Ferguson set the table with 44 assists, and freshman Brooke Gregory made a major impact with 17 kills on 35 attacks. Ferguson added 13 digs to complete a double-double.
“Our team chemistry is incredible right now,” Ferguson said. “We are doing a better job of getting off to a good start and maintaining a lead, which really helps us pull out these matches.”
Butler swept Wright State with scores of 25-20, 25-13, 25-15. Redshirt sophomore Whitney Beck smashed 11 kills and redshirt junior Jessica Klingensmith added six blocks. Gregory and sophomore Makaila Jarema combined for seven blocks of their own.
Head coach Sharon Clark said she was elated with her team’s defensive performance.
“Defense is definitely something we have been working on and stressing,” Clark said. “It was great to see it all come together in the wins this weekend.”
Butler now stands at 8-4 on the season. The Bulldogs have won their last six matches, five of them coming via sweep. They will face in-state foe Indiana State at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Sept. 13 at 6 p.m.
