Megan Ramseyer celebrates following a play during the Bulldog Brawl. Ramseyer posted a season-high 50 assists in Butler’s loss to Cleveland State. Photo by Jimmy Lafakis.
JIMMY LAFAKIS | STAFF REPORTER | jlafakis@butler.edu
The Butler University volleyball team earned a 2-1 record at the Bulldog Brawl over the weekend. The Bulldogs fell to Cleveland State University on Sept. 14, but swept Santa Clara University and Kent State University on Sept. 15. They now stand at 3-9 on the season.
Butler lost a close match against the Vikings on Friday night. The Bulldogs dropped a 3-2 decision, falling 25-15, 27-29, 25-17, 20-25, 7-15. Both teams recorded 13 blocks, but Butler led the visitors in every other statistical category. Junior setter Megan Ramseyer posted a double-double, handing out a season-high 50 assists and adding 14 digs in the loss. Freshman libero Elizabeth LaBue recorded a team-high 25 digs, while junior outside hitter Brooke Gregory tallied a team-high 17 kills.
“They’ve had a couple of team meetings,” head coach Sharon Clark said. “That always helps when it’s them trying to figure out their perfect storm.”
Butler started the morning of Sept. 15 by sweeping the visiting Broncos 25-19, 25-23, 25-22. The Bulldogs recorded 12 team blocks in the victory, with senior middle blocker Bri Lilly and redshirt freshman middle blocker Melody Davidson adding six apiece. Gregory posted 14 kills, while sophomore outside hitter Natalie Ravenell added nine.
“This weekend, we came together as a team,” Ravenell said. “We finished strong and fought. It leaves a positive effect, especially considering how we started.”
Lilly posted 13 kills and eight blocks in the nightcap, as Butler defeated the Golden Flashes 25-12, 25-18, 25-16. The Bulldogs posted a .327 hitting percentage in the victory. Ramseyer recorded 33 assists, five digs, four blocks and four kills. Lilly, Ravenell, and senior defensive specialist/libero Taylor Takeda each recorded a service ace.
“It feels incredible to end the way we did,” Takeda said. “It will give us a lot of confidence and momentum heading into the Big East.”
Gregory and LaBue were named to the Bulldog Brawl All-Tournament Team. The Bulldogs will begin Big East play on September 21, traveling to Seton Hall University to face the Pirates. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“We are playing our best volleyball this season,” assistant coach Sofia Sanchez said. “The season only gets tougher from here, and the girls are hitting their stride.”
