INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler volleyball team moved to 6-6 overall after taking a 3-0 loss (14-25, 16-25, 18-25) to Central Michigan in the final match of the 2022 Bulldog Brawl. With the victory, the Chippewas improve to 7-4.
 
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Kaylee Cox – OH, Missouri
Phyona Schrader – S, Notre Dame
Sam Steele – L, Ohio
Elly Medendorp – MB, Central Michigan
Mariah Grunze – OH, Butler

SET 1: Central Michigan 25-14
Central Michigan raced out to a 6-1 lead in the opening set and would cruise to the finish line with a 25-14 win. Mariah Grunze was the top option for the BU attack. She led all Bulldogs with five kills. CMU went to Natalia Rejment early and often in the opener and she responded with five kills on just six attempts.

SET 2: Central Michigan 25-16
Set two was much closer with the two teams moving even at 10-10. A 6-0 CMU scoring run would be the difference in this one giving the visitor's a 16-10 cushion. The Chippewas never gave up the lead after the scoring spree and would go up 2-0 on Butler behind four kills from Anna Erickson.

SET 3: Central Michigan 25-18
Rejment ended the match the same way she started and guided CMU to a win with four kills in the third set. Claire Ammeraal also influenced the action with nine assists and seven digs. The Bulldogs were right where they wanted to be at 9-9, but moments later CMU would pull ahead 17-11. Rylie Tam was the bright spot for BU in the finale with four kills on just seven attempts.

STAT OF THE MATCH
Jenna Splitt led Butler with two service aces.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Mariah Grunze paced the BU attack with eight kills while adding five digs
- Jaymeson Kinley recorded a match-high 15 digs vs. CMU
- Marisa Guisti, Rylie Tam and Amina Shackelford all had five kills Saturday night
- Cora Taylor led BU with 14 assists
- Guisti played well at the net with three blocks

UP NEXT
Butler will begin BIG EAST action next Friday, Sept. 23 with an 8 PM match at DePaul. BU will stay on the road to face #19 Marquette the following day at 7 PM.