CINCINNATI -- The first action of the 2019 volleyball season took Butler to Cincinnati for a five-set match against the Bearcats. Butler won the first two sets on Wednesday evening, but the home team clawed back to pull out a close 3-2 win. Extra points were needed in the finale with Cincinnati taking the fifth 16-14.

"Tonight was a great first match for the 'Dawgs," Head Coach Sharon Clark stated. "Megan Sheridan stood out the entire match and we really liked how Brittany Robinson was super aggressive serving. Brooke Gregory's offense was also tough for Cincinnati to stop. There are good things ahead for the 'Dawgs!"

Butler took the first set 25-23 and would move up 2-0 at Cincinnati with an exciting 32-30 win in set two. Momentum would shift back to the home team in the third with Cinncy claiming a 25-14 win. The Bearcats sent the match to five sets with a 25-22 win in the fourth and would come out on top in the fifth 16-14.

Brittany Robinson led Butler with 15 kills. She was one of four student-athletes to reach double figures in the category. Freshman Megan Sheridan was in the box score with 12, Shay Horn totaled 11 and Brooke Gregory added 10.

Megan Ramseyer notched a double-double in the match with 44 assists and 11 digs. The team dig leader was libero Elizabeth LaBue with 16.

Team blocks were event at 8-8. Attack percentages were also similar with BU hitting .228 compared to .209 from Cincinnati.

The start of the regular season will fall on Friday, Aug. 30 this year when Butler travels to Aurburn to compete in the 2019 War Eagle Invite. Butler will play New Mexico State and Tennessee State on Friday before a showdown with the Tigers on Saturday.