CINCINNATI – The Butler volleyball team swept Xavier (25-14, 25-22, 25-21) Friday night at the Cintas Center for its fourth consecutive win. The Bulldogs (13-11, 7-4 BIG EAST) used a balanced offensive effort and 21 digs by
Jaymeson Kinley for the win over the Musketeers (10-12, 5-6).
Set 1: Butler 25-14
After Xavier took an early 7-2 lead, the Bulldogs rallied back with a 12-2 run capped off by two
Brittany Robinson kills to lead 14-9. A later 4-0 Butler run with two kills from
Mariah Grunze and one from
Megan Sheridan increased the advantage to seven at 18-11, and the Bulldogs would cruise from there, clinching the set on a kill by
Melody Davidson. Davidson and Grunze paced the Bulldog offense with four kills each, while Kinley contributed eight digs in the opening frame.
Set 2: Butler 25-22
The Bulldogs used kills from
Amina Shackelford and Sheridan followed by a
Madison Friebel ace to climb back in it after trailing 9-5 early. A later 4-0 run consisting of Robinson and Grunze kills put Butler up 13-11. The score was tight for the rest of the way until the Bulldogs used Sheridan and Grunze kills as part of a 3-0 run to create separation at 24-20 before Davidson and Grunze teamed up for a block to clinch the set. Grunze put down five kills, while Davidson had six blocks and Kinley 10 digs in the second frame for Butler.
Set 3: Butler 25-21
Two Davidson kills and one by Shackelford put the Bulldogs ahead 3-0 early. Back-to-back Sheridan kills later would make the lead 10-9 for Butler before a 5-0 run would extend the advantage to 17-13. Shackelford and Sheridan put down kills as part of a 3-0 run to increase the lead to 21-16, and Davidson would eventually clinch the set and match on a kill. Shackelford led the Bulldogs with six kills in the final frame.
Stat of the Match
Butler outhit Xavier by exactly 200 points (.260 to .060).
Inside the Box Score
- Grunze totaled 11 kills, seven digs and two blocks.
- Kinley contributed 21 digs and five assists.
- Davidson put down nine kills and 10 blocks (one solo, nine assist).
- Shackelford wound up with 10 kills, six blocks and two digs.
Up Next
Butler returns home to face UConn Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
