The Butler volleyball team plays a set against DePaul University on Oct. 5. Photo by Jimmy Lafakis.

JIMMY LAFAKIS | STAFF REPORTER | jlafakis@butler.edu

The Butler University volleyball team suffered a five-set loss to Xavier University on Oct. 8 with final scores of 20-25, 25-22, 25-13, 24-26, 15-12.

Butler fell to 13-9, (2-4) in the Big East with the loss.

Sophomore outside hitter Anna Logan and redshirt sophomore outside hitter Whitney Beck combined for 39 kills in the match.

Junior setter Makayla Ferguson cited the Bulldogs’ perseverance as a reason for optimism.

“I think we fought really hard in those last two sets,” Ferguson said. “We did not give up when things were not going our way. We can use that as motivation for the future.”

Butler used two setters in the contest, Ferguson and sophomore Maddie Freiwald. Ferguson handed out 39 assists while Freiwald added 19.

Freiwald said Butler keeps their focus on improving their gameplay.

“We have all the talent we need,” Freiwald said. “We just need to make all of the pieces fall together. That is something that takes time.”

Head coach Sharon Clark said her team lost their groove on Saturday.

“We started off just fine,” Clark said. “We just have to find our rhythm back again and focus on playing consecutive stretches of good volleyball.”

Sophomore libero Taylor Takeda’s 23 digs were a bright spot for the Bulldogs. Butler will return to action against the Marquette Golden Eagles on Oct. 12 at 8 p.m in Milwaukee.