Butler volleyball tops Xavier for first Big East win of the season

Outside hitter Whitney Beck lifts the ball over for a point. Butler gained their first Big East win of the season after falling to Marquette in the conference opener on Sept. 20. Collegian file photo.

JIMMY LAFAKIS | STAFF REPORTER | jlafakis@butler.edu

The Butler University volleyball team took a 3-1 win over the Xavier Musketeers on Sept. 23. Butler boosted its record to 11-3 (1-1 Big East.)

It marked the first conference win for the Bulldogs. Freshman middle blocker Rachel Klitzing posted team-high kills and blocks, adding 15 and six, respectively.

We did a really good job of finding the holes in their defense and getting the ball there,” Klitzing said. “We have great talent on our team, but there is so much more that we can bring to the court.”

Butler held a 63-46 kill advantage in the match. Junior outside hitter Anna Logan recorded 10 kills, while freshman outside hitter Natalie Ravenell posted nine.

HUGE kill from Freshman Natalie Ravenell pushes the Butler lead to 15-7 in Set 3

— Butler Volleyball (@ButlerVB) September 23, 2017

“We really capitalized on our communication with each other during the match,” Ravenell said. “I learned more about my teammates’ tendencies on the court.”

Redshirt junior outside hitter Whitney Beck said she felt the momentum flowing the Bulldogs’ way.

“We got shaken a little in the second set, but overall we had great momentum tonight,” Beck said. “A lot of things happened on Xavier’s side tonight and it shook us a little. We faced every challenge head-on tonight.”

Head coach Sharon Clark said Klitzing had a Big East freshman of the week-worthy performance.

“She was unstoppable offensively and defensively,” Clark said. “The freshmen played great, and Anna gave us some much-needed stability at the net.”