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INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs will compete in the Denver Invitational this weekend. Matches against Hofstra and Denver are set for Friday, Sept. 2 and the weekend will come to a close with a match vs. Portland on Saturday.
 
Bulldog Bits
- The 2022 Bulldogs start the season 3-0 for the first time since the 2017 season in which they finished with a 23-8 overall record.
- Jaymeson Kinley earned BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll accolades by leading the BIG EAST in digs with 5.50 per set and 66 total over a 3-0 opening weekend for the Bulldogs.
- Kinley was the 2022 Top Dawg Challenge MVP and an All-Tournament Team member.
- Autumn Flowers and Megan Sheridan were recognized on the Top Dawg Challenge All-Tournament Team.
- Butler leads the BIG EAST in opponent hitting percentage (.084) and blocks per set (2.67) respectively.
- Denver and Hofstra both lead the overall record against Butler 1-0 while Portland (2011, 1997) and Butler hold an overall record of 1-1.
- Butler and Denver met during the 2000 season with the Pioneers winning 3-1 in the final game of the Denver Invitational.
- The Bulldogs took Hofstra to five sets in the 2007 Orange and Green Challenge hosted by Miami.
- Butler and Portland are even in the all-time series with the Bulldogs coming out on top 3-0 in the final match of the 1997 Idaho Classic. Portland got even with a 3-1 win in the 2011 Portland Classic.
- Butler is one of six undefeated BIG EAST teams to begin the season and one of four who sit at 3-0.
- Marisa Guisti and Amina Shackelford sit at second and third in the BIG EAST in blocks, averaging 1.45 and 1.25 per set.
 
SCOUTING HOFSTRA: The Pride are 2-2 at the start of the season with wins over Niagara and Seton Hall and setbacks to Miami (Fla.) and Bryant. The season opener for Hofstra could not have gone better as they swept Niagara to find the win column. Miami (Fla.) would face Hofstra later that day and claim a quick 3-0 sweep. The final match of opening weekend was a four-set loss to Bryant. The last time out, Hofstra went against BIG EAST talent Seton Hall and walked out of New Jersey with a 3-1 victory.
 
Libero Chiara Cucco and setter Beatriz Alves were each recognized on the Preseason All-CAA Team. Hofstra was picked fifth out of 11 teams in the Coaches' Preseason Poll.
 
SCOUTING DENVER: The Pioneers traveled to Boulder, Colo. opening weekend to compete in the Buffalo Invitational. They lost 3-1 in the opener to Western Michigan, 3-1 to Green Bay later Friday night and 3-2 to host Colorado the following day. The Pioneers will gladly return home for games this weekend. They have won their last 11 home openers dating back to 2011.
 
Denver was picked first in the Summit League Preseason Poll and received six first-place votes from the coaches. Seniors Brianna Green and Lorrin Poulter were tabbed "Players to Watch" by the league.
 
SCOUTING PORTLAND: The Pilots participated in the Sacramento State Invitational over opening weekend, and like Butler, posted a 3-0 record. Portland swept Middle Tennessee State to get the new season underway and held off Nevada 3-2 later that night. Host Sacramento State played well in The Nest, but the Pilots would prevail with a 3-1 win to end the weekend.
 
The Pilots were picked to finish ninth in the 2022 WCC Preseason Coaches Poll. They return six players from last year's team, including outside hitter Jayde Harris who earned All-WCC honorable mention accolades in 2021.
 
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs will be in Idaho next weekend competing in the Boise State Tournament. BU, Eastern Washington and Southern Utah will meet up with host Boise State for the two-day tournament. The Bulldogs play two matches on Sept. 9 and end with a single match on Saturday, Sept. 10.
 
The tournament field features new competition for the Bulldogs. Butler is just 1-0 all-time against Boise State and 0-1 all-time against Eastern Washington. The final match against Southern Utah will mark the first meeting between the two programs.