CHICAGO – Butler took a 3-0 loss to Valparaiso in the spring season opener on Friday afternoon (22-25, 21-25, 23-25). Melody Davidson would lead the team with 10 kills and freshman Madison Friebel notched a double-double with 30 assists and 14 digs.
 
How It Happened
There were 10 ties and six lead changes in set one, but the Crusaders would manage to take a 1-0 lead with a 25-22 victory. A 4-0 Valpo scoring run would break an early 6-6 tie and move the score to 10-6. Butler countered with a 3-0 run that got them back within one point at 14-15 and the two teams would soon be deadlocked at 18-18. The outcome looked promising for Butler once BU grabbed a 20-19 lead, but the momentum would shift back to Valpo leading to their 25-22 win.
 
Set two featured more of the same action. Valpo used another 4-0 scoring run to get some wiggle room over the Bulldogs. The score spree moved the score to 15-12 and forced BU into a timeout. Down the stretch, Butler scored two-straight to get back within two points at 18-20. Another push got Butler within one at 20-21, but the action ended with Valpo scoring four of the final five points to go up 2-0.
 
The difference in the third set was a 5-0 Valpo scoring run that gave the Crusaders a 16-11 advantage. Two different BU 3-0 scoring runs would get the 'Dawgs within two points at 18-20 and again at 22-23. Butler was unable to get the lead which resulted in the sweep.
 
Stat of the Game
Madison Friebel highlighted the action with the first double-double performance of the season for BU. She stuffed the box score with 30 assists, 14 digs, two kills, one service ace and one block.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Melody Davidson led Butler with 10 kills and four blocks.
- Butler doubled up Valpo in blocks, winning that category 8-4.
- Jaymeson Kinley was the team leader in digs with 15.
- Amina Shackelford led BU with a .235 attack percentage (7 kills on 17 attempts)
- All five of Brittany Robinson's kills were recorded in the first set.
- Caroline Cleveland impacted the match with eight digs.
- Megan Sheridan posted eight kills, five digs and two blocks.
- 13 student-athletes saw action in the opener, with just seven playing in all three sets.
 
What's Next
Butler will stay in Chicago to play the Loyola Ramblers this evening at 6 PM. The weekend will come to a close with a 3 PM match at Bellarmine.