INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler volleyball team will open the 2019 season in Auburn, Ala. by competing in the War Eagle Invite. Head Coach Sharon Clark will lead a talented, but young roster into an opening weekend that includes matches against New Mexico State, Tennessee State and host Auburn.
 
"We are excited to get our season underway at Auburn," Clark stated. "This team is better offensively than we were last year. We were able to add more firepower to the lineup and that gives our setters more options up front. On the other side of the net, we will once again be a strong blocking team. We have good size at the net and will be more aggressive overall on defense. I'm also happy with our first ball contact. Here in the early stages of the season we have been able to get the ball where it needs to be."
 
Middle Blockers
Brooke Gregory will return to her natural position this year after spending much of her junior season at outside hitter. Gregory helped BU on the outside last year due to the team's injury situation. She flourished in that role by leading the team with 296 kills. Gregory averaged 2.87 kills per set and held a .213 attack percentage.
 
Melody Davidson, Rillian Dennis and Funmi Oladapo will also see playing time in the middle for BU. Davidson was a terrific defensive player in her rookie year with 143 total blocks in 102 sets. She ranked second on the team in blocks per set (1.38) and Coach Clark expects more of the same out of the redshirt-sophomore in 2019.
 
Dennis has been a great asset for BU during her career because she can player anywhere in the front row. "We know if we call on Rillian she will enter the game, keep her head down and do her job very well," Clark said. "She's great for us because she is versatile. She has also developed a tremendous serve."
 
Rounding out this group is newcomer Funmi Oladapo. A Texas native, Oladapo has been recognized as a hard-worker with a heavy arm. She recorded 143 kills as a senior in high school and added 26 service aces.
 
Outside Hitters
The Bulldogs are loaded with talent in this area. Veterans Anna Logan, Natalie Ravenell, and Shay Horn will blend with newcomers Brittany Robinson and Megan Sheridan. Logan is still working her way back to action after missing the 2018 season with an injury.

"Nobody wants to be back on the court more than Anna does," Clark mentioned. "She is a leader on this team and uses her high volleyball IQ to help her teammates. It's amazing to see where she is right now with what she has had to go through".
 
Ravenell won't see court time over opening weekend due to an injury, but the "Dawgs will have Horn, Robinson and Sheridan in the War Eagle Invite.
 
"Shay is a live heart-beat for us on the court," Clark said. "She is a high-flyer that is also very strong. I think she got much better over the off-season." Horn ranked fifth on the team in kills last year with 100. An injury limited her to just 72 of Butler's 105 sets on the year.
 
Robinson is a talented redshirt-freshman that missed the 2018 season with an injury. Clark believes that the college court experience she receives in 2019 will take her game to another level for future seasons. "Brittany is long and lean with a great arm swing," Clark added. "I think she will surprise some people with her game. She has great ball control and also serves very well for us."
 
Sheridan is a true freshman that has the ability to be an impact player in 2019. "Megan came in ready to go," Clark explained. "She's out there doing her thing, playing very well for us. We like that she is versatile. She's a big presence at the net for us."
 
Setters
There is a position battle at setter this year for BU. Megan Ramseyer and Maria Schorr will compete for court time with Serena Wagner currently sidelined with injury.
 
"The setter job is still up for grabs, but we are happy because each player competing is talented and has worked really hard for us in the preseason," Clark said. "It's great to see Megan and Maria push each other every day in practice. They are also very supportive of each other which you love to see as a coach."
 
Megan Ramseyer split time at the setter position in 2018. She ended the year with 429 assists, averaging 7.66 per set. Schorr was used sparingly in 13 sets. She averaged 3.46 assists per set when on the court.
 
Defensive Specialists
Multiple student-athletes are making a case for court time at the libero position for BU. Elizabeth LaBue was terrific in that role during the 2018 campaign. LaBue led the team with 376 digs as a rookie and was near the team lead with 17 service aces.
 
"Elizabeth is the leader of our backcourt defense, but this is the tightest race for court time that we have had at this position in years," Clark explained. "All three of our defensive specialists bring different things to the table. We love that they are all feisty. They chase balls, have great foot speed, and they hustle. I think all three will get on the court this year."
 
Jillian Ziemba and Emma Milstead both saw playing time in 2018. As a freshman, Ziemba recorded 44 digs in 45 sets. Milstead was highly reliable by playing in all 105 sets for BU. She made 231 digs and supplied the team with 10 service aces.
 
Opening Weekend
"All three of these matches will be good challenges for us," Clark stated. "We will see what we are made of after this weekend. All three opponents are good teams and will test us in different ways. We are excited for the opportunity to play in the War Eagle Invite."