Elizabeth LaBue prepares to serve the ball. LaBue led Butler with 26 digs in the defeat to Xavier. Jimmy Lafakis/Collegian file photo.

JIMMY LAFAKIS | STAFF REPORTER | jlafakis@butler.edu

The Butler University volleyball team lost in four sets in Hinkle Fieldhouse to Xavier University on Oct. 13. Butler fell to 6-15 (3-6 Big East) on the season.

Junior outside hitter Brooke Gregory posted a career-high 21 kills in the 25-21, 20-25, 21-25, 18-25 defeat. Senior middle blocker Bri Lilly recorded a team-high 10 blocks. She also added seven kills and three digs to her stat line.

“We learned that it’s crucial to keep the momentum in our favor,” Lilly said. “It can easily slip away if we let our guard down for even a second.”

Sophomore outside hitter Natalie Ravenell showcased her all-around talent. Ravenell recorded 10 kills, eight digs and seven blocks. Butler out-blocked Xavier, 14-11.

“We need to be tougher and fight harder,” Ravenell said. “We need to limit our errors and play our game.”

The Bulldogs received defensive boosts from freshman libero Elizabeth LaBue (posting a team-high 26 digs), redshirt junior defensive specialist Emma Milstead (12 digs) and senior defensive specialist Taylor Takeda (11 digs).

“We will prepare for the next week by putting this match behind us,” Takeda said.

Butler will head east to face Providence College on Thursday, Oct. 18. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.

“We won’t take Providence lightly,” Takeda said.