Maddie Freiwald celebrates following a play this season. Freiwald led Butler with 53 assists in the team’s win over Seton Hall on Oct. 27. Jimmy Lafakis/Collegian file photo.

JIMMY LAFAKIS | STAFF REPORTER | jlafakis@butler.edu

The Butler University volleyball team split two matches against St. John’s University and Seton Hall University this past weekend. Butler fell to the Red Storm in four sets on Oct. 26 and defeated the Pirates in four sets on Oct. 27.

The Bulldogs (8-17, 5-8 Big East) jumped out to a blazing start at home against St. John’s, but lost 16-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-20. Junior outside hitter Brooke Gregory posted a team-high 15 kills. Butler served seven aces in the match, winning that category seven to two. The Bulldogs also recorded 15 blocks in the match.

Butler responded by defeating Seton Hall 19-25, 25-17, 25-21, 29-27 in the weekend’s finale. Sophomore outside hitter Natalie Ravenell posted a double-double, notching a season-high 20 kills with 12 digs and four blocks. Gregory added 18 kills, while redshirt junior setter Maddie Freiwald handed out a match-high 53 assists.

“We played with passion and fire,” Ravenell said. “We fought to earn our win and came together as a team.”

The win featured a ferocious comeback. The Bulldogs faced a 24-21 deficit in the final set, but rallied to take the victory.

“We really showed that we can fight and hang with teams,” senior defensive specialist Taylor Takeda said. “Our blocking was phenomenal and our hitters did really well sticking to the scout. We fought through and battled together.”

Butler will travel to Cincinnati to face Xavier University on Friday, Nov. 2. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.