Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – The Butler volleyball team split a pair of matches on day two of the Utah Classic to come out of opening weekend with 1-2 overall record. BU defeated Idaho State 3-1, but also took a 3-1 loss to host school Utah.
The day started with a win over Idaho State (25-23, 25-19, 18-25, 25-22) thanks to
Anna Logan who paced the Bulldogs with 22 kills. Logan,
Whitney Beck and
Kayla Bivins were all instrumental on the offensive end while
Taylor Takeda took care of the defense with a team-high 23 digs.
Maddie Freiwald took over as the BU setter against the Bengals to deliver 48 assists. The newcomer added four kills, five digs and three blocks.
The match was close from the very start as the two teams came together at 20-20 in the opening set. Logan made an impact with back-to-back service aces and a final kill from
Brooke Gregory would give BU the upper hand.
The Bulldogs would shake off a slow start in the second set to claim an early 2-0 lead. The Bengals recorded the first four points of the match, but BU would even the score at 8-8 and never look back to take control of the action. Gregory and Beck took the Bulldogs to the finish line with kills with Freiwald recording the assists.
The sweep would vanish in the third with Idaho State earning the 25-18 win. Momentum wouldn't stay with the Bengals however as the Bulldogs won their first match of the season with a 25-22 decision in the fourth. Butler enjoyed a 20-14 advantage before the Bengals cut the deficit to one point at 21-20. BU regrouped with kills from Beck,
Kayla Bivins and Logan down the stretch to take the victory.
The second match of the day belonged to the home team as Utah posted a 3-1 victory (25-21, 25-17, 21-25, 25-9). Logan once again paced the offense with 16 kills while Takeda led the defensive effort with 13 digs.
The difference-maker was Adora Anae who recorded 20 kills and 18 digs for the Utes. Anae sent the final kill of the first set to the floor to gain the momentum and her efforts in the second set would give the home team the upper hand 25-17.
Butler came out of the break with an impressive 25-21 outcome, a match where the led most the way, but the final outcome would go to Utah with a convincing 25-9 decision in the fourth set.
Butler's next test will come against Eastern Illinois in Charleston, Ill. The two teams will go head-to-head on Aug. 30 at 7 PM.
All-Tournament Team
MVP – McKayla Ferris, Gonzaga
Emmy Allen, Gonzaga
Faith Smith, Gonzaga
Anna Logan, Butler
Adora Anae, Utah
Berkeley Oblad, Utah
Taylor Takeda, Butler
