INDIANAPOLIS — Bellarmine beats the Bulldogs in four sets (25-21, 24-26, 23-25, 24-26) in the second match of the Butler Invitational inside Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Laiya Ebo hit for an incredible .615 with 17 kills to just one error.
Butler 25-21
The Bulldogs started from behind in Set 1 after Bellarmine jumped to a 4-2. The Knights would increase the lead to 9-6 before a 6-0 run led by kills from Abby Maesch flipped the score to 15-10. Bellarmine would cut the deficit to one point at 22-21 until the Bulldogs regained the momentum with Grace Boggess capping off the first set with a kill. Both Maesch and Ebo avoided any errors while combining for nine kills in Set 1.
Bellarmine 26-24
The second set was a roller coaster with the Knights using a 4-0 run to take an early 6-4 lead. Bellarmine would continue to put on the pressure with consecutive 3-0 runs to extend their lead at 12-6. However, the Bulldogs would rally back using a 4-0 spurt followed by a 6-0 run to take a 23-18 lead. The Knights responded with six straight points of their own to regain lead at 24-23 and closing out the set at 26-24.
Bellarmine 25-23
The Bulldogs began Set 3 on top 3-0 after kills from Ebo. Bellarmine would respond by claiming the lead at 6-4. Conseucitve 3-0 spurts led by Alaleh Tolliver helped Butler regain the lead at 14-12. The Knights would tie the match up at 14-14 and then use a 5-0 run to make the score 22-17. A late rally using kills from Destiny Cherry would cut the lead back to 22-21. Bellarmine had one last breathe holding the comeback and wining the set 25-23.
Bellarmine 26-24
Set 4 began in favor of th Knights with a 4-0 run to start, but the Bulldogs battled back with 4-0 spurt of their own to take a 7-6 lead. Bellarmine came right back to tie the match at 15-15, but Boggess would use a kill and block to make the score 21-18. Bellarmine caught up to tie the match back at 24-24 and eventually take the match at 26-24.
Stat of the Match: Laiya Ebo had a standout performance filled with new career-highs. Ebo hit for an incredible .615 with 17 kills to just one error. She earned the fourth highest mark in the BIG EAST this season.
Inside the Box Score
- Ebo hit for new career-highs in .615 with 17 kills and four blocks
- Taylor earned her fourth double-double with 52 assists and 14 digs and a pair of blocks
- Tolliver also set new career-highs in 14 kills and 14 digs to earn her first career double-double
- Maesch collects 14 kills with nine digs
- Boggess made eight kills with no errors and four blocks
- Lauren Evans amassed 12 digs and seven assists
Up Next
The Bulldogs will conclude the non-conference schedule in the final match of the match of the Butler Invitational starting tomorrow at 3 PM against Wright St.
