Facebook Live | Match Notes
INDIANAPOLIS – Butler will host the Top Dawg Challenge this weekend at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The tournament field includes Auburn, Eastern Illinois and Illinois State. There will be two games on Friday (4PM, 7PM), and the tournament will conclude with four matches on Saturday.
Bulldog Bits
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Natalie Ravenell made the Panther Challenge All-Tournament Team
- Ravenell led Butler with 27 kills (3.0 kills/set, .260 attack percentage)
- Butler recorded 22 total blocks last weekend compared to 18 from opponents
- BU leads the BIG EAST in blocks per set (2.44)
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Melody Davidson led Butler in blocks during all three matches last weekend
- Davidson leads the conference in blocks per set (1.67)
- Five different players were responsible for Butler's five service aces last week
- Two of Butler's first three opponents this year are nationally-ranked
- Butler hasn't started the year 0-3 since the 2011 season
- Butler has won four of their last five home openers at Hinkle Fieldhouse
- Auburn has three student-athletes on the roster from Indiana
- The BU vs. EIU match will feature free admission courtesy of ButlerBulldogGear.com
- Butler landed in third place of the 2018 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Middle blocker
Bri Lilly made the 2018 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
All-Time Series
Auburn leads the all-time series over Butler 3-1. The first match was played during the 1987 season with Auburn winning 3-0. The War Eagles improved to 2-0 with a 3-1 win over BU in 1991. Butler's first win came in the final game of the Butler Invitational during 1992 season (3-2). The last meeting also featured a 3-2 score, this time with Auburn coming out on top in the 1994 Hawkeye Classic.
Illinois State also holds a 3-1 edge over BU in the all-time series. The 'Dawgs came out on top in the last meeting 3-2 (2013). The Bulldogs are up on the Panthers in the all-time series 13-6. Butler's last win came during the 2016 season (3-2). Eastern Illinois held the upper hand in 2006 with a 3-1 win.
Home Opener
Butler hasn't lost a home opener since the 2014 season. Hinkle Fieldhouse renovations did not allow BU to host a non-conference tournament that season. They lost their first home match to Seton Hall (3-0) on Oct. 3. Recent home openers include wins over Stony Brook (3-0, 2017), Tennessee State (3-0, 2016), and UIC (3-0, 2015).
Season High Totals
Butler's best performance last weekend came against Pepperdine. The 'Dawgs set season-high totals in kills (31), attack percentage (.158), service aces (3), digs (37), and blocks (10).
Ravenell Gets Results
Ravenell led Butler in kills in all three games last weekend. She opened the season with eight against #20 Pittsburgh. She posted a season-high 10 kills in the match vs. Pepperdine and ended the Panther Challenge with nine kills vs. #24 Cal Poly.
Are We Set?
Head Coach
Sharon Clark used two setters over opening weekend in Pittsburgh.
Maddie Freiwald recorded 15 assists in her debut and followed that effort with 24 assists vs. Pepperdine. Clark went with
Megan Ramseyer vs. Cal Poly in game three. She responded with 25 assists.
@Butler VB on Facebook Live
All Butler games this weekend will stream on Facebook Live.
Logan Sidelined for 2018 Season
Outside hitter
Anna Logan will miss the entire 2018 season due to injury (back).
Up Next
Butler will compete in the Arkansas Classic next weekend. The tournament field includes the Razorbacks, Northwestern Wildcats and Buffalo Bulls. Butler will play Arkansas on Friday and end the tournament with two games on Saturday.
