INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs took a 3-0 setback to Auburn on Friday night in game two of the Top Dawg Challenge (25-23, 25-19, 25-18). There were 25 ties and 10 lead changes throughout the action at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
 
Natalie Ravenell and Brooke Gregory led the team offensively with 12 and 10 kills respectively. Setter Maddie Freiwald posted 30 assists tying the effort from Auburn setter Mica Allison. The Tigers improved to 2-1 on the young season by hitting .333 as a team compared to just .080 for BU.
 
Taylor Rowland and Brenna McIlroy were the difference in the game. The duo combined for 23 kills, but more importantly each hit over .400. McIlroy collected 11 kills off 22 attempts with one error (.455) and Rowland led the team with 12 kills off 21 attempts with one error (.524).
 
Butler wasn't bad defensively. The recorded more digs than their opponent (33/25), but the Tigers were better at the net winning the total block count seven to three.
 
Emma Milstead was in the box score with seven digs while the team leader was Elizabeth LaBue with eight. Milstead also went down as the team leader in service aces with two.
 
Back-to-back attack errors would move Auburn out in front 1-0 after the opening set. Butler rattled off three-straight points to bring the game to a 23-23 tie. Auburn called for their second timeout and squeaked ahead for the two-point win. There were 11 total ties and three lead changes in the opener alone.
 
Ravenell made her mark early with five kills in set one. Gregory was equally as good with four off just seven attempts.
 
Set two was knotted up at 14-14, but a 5-1 Auburn run would move the score to 19-15. Butler called for a timeout trailing by six at 23-17 and were unable to mount the comeback.
 
Ravenell added five more kills in the second set while teammate Bri Lilly chipped in with four.
 
Set three was also close in the opening stages with the two teams coming together at 15-15. The Tigers got hot and went on a 6-1 scoring run to take control of the evening. They raced to the finish line 25-18 to put the finishing touches on day one of the tournament.
 
Butler will play two matches on Saturday, facing both Eastern Illinois and Illinois State. Day two of the Top Dawg Challenge features four total games. Start times are at 10 AM, 1 PM, 4PM and 7 PM. BU plays at 1 PM and 7 PM.