MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Butler volleyball team got off to a 1-0 start in the 2014 Chippewa Invitational by recording a 3-1 victory against the Phoenix on Friday afternoon (25-23, 23-25, 25-18, 25-19).

Butler played well both defensively and offensively against Green Bay with Jadyn Yarling and Marissa Collier leading the way in the dig category and Bell Obert, Stephanie Kranda and Mary Striedl spearheading the offensive attack.

Yarling led all players with 18 digs and Collier was the second Bulldog to reach a double figure total as she collected 11. Striedl was once again a two-way player as she just missed a double-double performance with 12 kills and nine digs. Striedl had the second-best attack percentage (.257) against the Phoenix, but it was Kranda who led the category with 12 kills and a .286 attack percentage. Obert would lead the team with 13 kills, hitting at a .195 clip.

"Overall it was a great defensive game for us," Head Coach Sharon Clark stated. "We played great team defense and Stephanie Kranda had a tremendous match to lead us offensively."

Butler's defense at the point of attack was spot on as Kayla Bivins, Erica Stahl and Obert helped the Bulldogs post 15 blocks compared to just six from Green Bay. Bivins was very active with a team-high 11 blocks and five kills. Stahl was an impact player with four blocks, four digs and six kills and Obert was second on the team with seven blocks.

Butler opened the first set with a 25-22 win, but the match would quickly be tied at 1-1 heading into the break after Green Bay posted a 25-23 win. Clark made some adjustments for sets three and four that led to the 3-1 victory.

"We made several runs against them tonight in part to our tough serving," Clark added. "I think that kept them out of their system during the third and fourth sets which earned us a win."

The Bulldogs hit .204 as a team thanks to the ball distribution of freshman Makayla Ferguson who tallied 45 assists. Ferguson also came up with seven digs, three blocks, three kills and two service aces.

Emily Riese and Taylor Kasal led the Phoenix with double-double performances. Riese was the team leader in assists with 34. She also provided Green Bay with 14 digs, a block and one kill. Kasal was the focal point of the offense with 13 kills and 14 digs.

Butler will take this momentum into tomorrow's action where they will face Marshall at 10:00 a.m. followed by a nightcap against host school Central Michigan at 7:30.