INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler volleyball team swept St. John's (25-15, 25-21, 25-23) Friday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs (9-9, 3-2 BIG EAST) used a season-high 12 aces to beat St. John's (11-8, 2-3) and get above .500 in conference play.
Set 1: Butler 25-15
The Bulldogs started strong with a 7-0 lead thanks to three kills by
Brittany Robinson and an ace from
Madison Friebel. The Red Storm would cut their deficit to five at 15-10, but a 5-0 Butler run capped off by back-to-back
Mariah Grunze aces gave the Bulldogs a comfortable 20-10 lead, and they would clinch the set on a kill from Grunze. Robinson led the offense with five kills, and
Jaymeson Kinley chipped in five digs on the defensive end for Butler in the opening frame.
Set 2: Butler 25-21
St. John's led 5-0 then 8-2 early before Butler strung together a 3-0 run and two mini 2-0 spurts to get back in the set. A later 10-0 Bulldog run on
Madison Friebel's serve including three aces from her turned a 13-9 deficit into a 19-13 Butler lead. The Red Storm would rally back and fend off four straight set points, but
Melody Davidson put away the set with a kill for the Bulldogs. Davidson had three kills in the frame to pace the Bulldogs.
Set 3: Butler 25-23
After the Red Storm started strong with a 7-5 lead, Butler rallied back on a 4-0 run including two aces by
Caroline Cleveland for a 9-7 advantage. After the two teams traded five consecutive 3-0 spurts to get to an 18-18 tie, the Bulldogs used kills from
Grace Boggess, Davidson and Grunze plus a Kinley ace to put the set away. Grunze paced Butler with three kills in the final frame.
Stat of the Match
The Bulldogs served up a season-high 12 aces, easily eclipsing the previous high of seven.
Inside the Box Score
- Friebel returned to action and contributed 22 assists, six digs, one kill and a season-high four aces.
- Robinson tallied 11 points on eight kills, four block assists and an ace while adding three digs.
- Grunze added eight kills, three digs, two aces and a block.
- Davidson had eight kills, two blocks and a dig.
- Kinley contributed 19 digs, one ace and one assist.
Up Next
The Bulldogs play Seton Hall on Saturday at 4 p.m. to finish up the weekend.
