DENVER – The Butler volleyball team swept Hofstra (25-15, 25-14, 25-21) Friday afternoon to remain undefeated to begin the season with a 4-0 record. The win featured an impressive offensive team performance in the Bulldogs' first game of the Denver Invitational.
Set 1: Butler 25-15
Butler and Hofstra traded blows to begin the first set, but the Bulldogs didn't waste too much time before they took firm control. Butler's
Mariah Grunze led the way posting a set-high four kills.
Jaymeson Kinley added four of her eight digs in the first set. The Bulldogs closed out the set with multiple streaks including an impressive 5-0 spurt to put them two points off the set.
Set 2: Butler 25-14
Continuing their momentum, Butler built themselves a 5-0 lead to start the second set.
Megan Sheridan took over with six kills, while
Cora Taylor set her teammates up notching 14 assists. As a team, Butler maintained their quality defensive play to begin the season, holding Hofstra to only six kills. A powerful kill from
Autumn Flowers ended the second set.
Set 3: Butler 25-21
Butler again jumped out to a good 4-0 start in the third set. Hofstra had their best set, forcing a closer score to finish out the match. The set win must be credited to a committee performance from the Bulldogs. Grunze, Flowers, and Sheridan had two kills while
Amina Shackelford led the team with three. Taylor also added to her match assist total with eight in the set.
Stat of the Match
The Bulldogs almost led the match wire to wire, only allowing two lead changes which came in the first set.
Inside the Box Score
-Sheridan tied for a match-high 10 kills and an ace.
-Grunze also posted 10 kills on only 17 attempts.
-Taylor went for a match-high 32 assists while adding two kills on three attempts with three digs.
-Shackelford tallied eight kills and five blocks.
-Kinley led the team with eight digs.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will take on Denver at 9 p.m. ET later tonight at Hamilton Gymnasium in Denver for their second of three matches in the Denver Invitational.
