INDIANAPOLIS, IND. -- Butler used a strong attack and overpowered visiting Providence in three sets to begin it final home weekend with a BIG EAST victory on Friday (Nov. 21).  The win lifted the Bulldogs to 19-10 on the season and 11-6 in conference play.

Sophomore Kayla Bivins led a balanced Butler team with 11 kills, while senior Stephanie Kranda added 11.  Senior Erica Stahl added seven kills and senior Belle Obert had six.  The Bulldogs had just eight attack errors and finished with a .364 attack percentage in the dominant win.

Butler's defense, led by Bivins and freshman Jessica Klingensmith, held Providence to a -.027 attack percentage.  Bivins finished with four blocks, while Klingensmith added three.

Butler freshman Makayla Ferguson was credited with a match-high 32 assists, while senior Jadyn Yarling topped the squad with 15 digs.  Obert added 14 digs.

The Bulldogs established the tone early, opening the first set with a 12-5 run and then cruising to a 25-11 win.  Bivins had six of her team-high 11 kills in the opening set, while Ferguson recorded 13 assists.

The second set was tight through the early going, with Butler falling behind, 6-4, before edging out to a 9-7 advantage.  But the Bulldogs, led by Stahl, caught fire and closed on a 16-3 run to grab a 25-10 decision.  Stahl finished with five kills and one block in the set.

The Bulldogs then used another late run in the third set to complete the sweep.  Tied at 10-10, Butler went on a 15-5 run to claim the victory.  Kranda led the final period with six kills, while Bivins added four.  Ferguson had 12 assists.

Providence (6-25, 2-15 BIG EAST) wa led on the afternoon by Abbie Trzeciak with seven kills and Abigail Dix with five kills.

Butler will close out the regular season slate at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday, Nov. 22, against St. John's.  Prior to the match, which starts at noon (ET), the Bulldogs will pay tribute to the team's six senior members, Kranda, Obert, Brooke Ruffolo, Christina Saenger, Stahl and Yarling.