NASHVILLE, TENN. — The Bulldogs kicked off their 2024 campaign falling in four sets (25-23, 7-25, 20-25, 17-25) to No. 17 Arizona State at the Lipscomb Invitational. Abby Maesch led the way with a game-high 17 kills while Cora Taylor tallied 33 assists.

Butler 25-23
The Sun Devils began the match on fire using a 6-0 run to take an early 8-1. Butler responded right back with consecutive 3-0 spurts led by kills from Abby Maesch. The Bulldogs would then knot the score up at 11 apiece before using a block from Grace Boggess to take their first lead of the set 17-16. Arizona State would regain the lead at 22-23, but Elise Ward led another rally with back-to-back serving aces to cap off the set 25-23. Maesch led the set with six kills while Ward totaled three serving aces.

Arizona State 25-7
The second set was all Arizona State after they took another early lead 8-2. They continued the pressure scoring 11 straight points to take a 24-5 lead eventually closing out the set 25-7.

Arizona State 25-20
Butler began the third set on top after a solo block from Boggess. The Sun Devils would regain the lead at 10-6. Kills from Maesch and Ward helped bring the Bulldogs back, cutting the lead to 19-20. However, a 4-0 spurt by Arizona State would help close out the set 25-20. Cora Taylor combined for 13 assists in the set. 

Arizona State 25-17
The Bulldogs started the fourth set behind 8-2 but a solo block by Boggess and more kills from Maesch brought the score back to within four points. Arizona State then found another gear extending their lead to 19-11 and eventually 25-17 to secure the match.

Stat of the Match: Cora Taylor earned her first double-double of the season tying the game-high of 33 assists while adding 10 digs. Taylor led the team last season with 12 double-doubles. 

Inside the Box Score

• Taylor earned her first double-double of the season with 33 assists and 10 digs
• Maesch hit for .324 generating 17 kills and six digs
• Ward added 11 kills and three serving aces
• Lauren Evans made her debut with 11 digs and three assists

Up Next
The Bulldogs will play another match tomorrow against Belmont tonight at 12:30 pm ET