Bri Lilly gets ready to serve. Lilly and the rest of the Bulldogs took part in the Arkansas classic over the weekend. Jimmy Lafakis/Collegian file photo.
JIMMY LAFAKIS | STAFF REPORTER | jlafakis@butler.edu
The Butler University volleyball team went 0-3 at the Arkansas Classic over the weekend. Butler dropped to 1-8 on the season after taking losses to the University of Arkansas, Northwestern University, and the University of Buffalo.
The Bulldogs squared off against the host Razorbacks on Sept. 7. Butler clawed its way to deuce in the second and third sets but fell 25-15, 26-24, 26-24. Sophomore outside hitter Natalie Ravenell posted a match-high 12 kills, while junior middle blocker/outside hitter Brooke Gregory added 11 kills. The Bulldogs also held a 10-4 blocking advantage over the Razorbacks.
“Going 0-3 is most definitely not the result we wanted,” Ravenell said. “But we gained a closer connection with each other.”
Butler won the first set against Northwestern on the morning of Sept. 8 but fell 23-25, 26-24, 27-25, 25-13. The Bulldogs once again showed off their blocking prowess, holding an 18-11 advantage in that category. Freshman libero Elizabeth LaBue recorded a team-high 20 digs.
“We have the ability to take teams completely out of their comfort zones with our blocking,” assistant coach Sofia Sanchez said. “In each match this weekend, we shut down a primary hitter to the point of them being subbed out of the game. That is something we will continue to do.”
The Bulldogs and Bulls tussled in the nightcap, with Butler taking the first two sets. Although the Bulldogs owned a 10-6 blocking advantage, Buffalo won the match 18-25, 22-25, 27-25, 25-16, 17-15. Ravenell posted a double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs. Senior middle blocker Bri Lilly paced the Bulldogs with 17 kills.
“I think we really learned to trust each other more this weekend,” Lilly said. “Though we are struggling to get our footing, the best is yet to come.”
Butler returns to Hinkle Fieldhouse on Sept. 14 for their final non-conference matches of the season. The Bulldogs will host Cleveland State University, Santa Clara University and Kent State University in the Bulldog Brawl.
