Butler University Athletics

INDIANAPOLIS - The Butler Bulldogs fell to the Providence Friars, 3-2, on Saturday at Hinkle Fieldhouse. With the loss, the Bulldogs move to 10-10 overall and 4-4 in BIG EAST action. The Friars move to 8-12 overall and 3-5 in conference action.
 
Bulldog Bites 

• Jersey Loyer recorded 20 digs and seven assists.
• Raegan Durbin collected 18 kills, including six in the first set. She also recorded eight digs.
• Chase Lemming registered 14 kills, including five in the fourth set. The outside hitter also posted four digs.
• Elise Ward marked 10 kills, including three in the first and fourth sets. The senior also posted 11 digs. 
• Sarah Kempf registered 20 assists and five digs.
• Butler had 60 kills to the Friars' 47. Providence recorded 18.5 blocks to the Bulldogs' three. 

 
On the Record with Head Coach Kyle Shondell
"We've seen all season the progress that Providence has made. They get better every week. They're a much more physical, more efficient, and a smarter team than what we have seen in the past, and we saw what they did last night at Xavier. Tonight we didn't play poorly. We played good quality volleyball, and at times we just weren't as smart as we could've been. Honestly, as much as it pains me to say, Providence was better in my own gym, and we can't let it happen again. We have two big matches next week. We have to be ready for Marquette and DePaul; that's the plan."
 
Set 1 Butler (25-21)
Butler opened the first set trading points with Providence in the early moments of the frame. The Bulldogs took a 15-12 edge at the halfway mark of set one behind an 8-1 run driven by multiple kills from Durbin, Ward, and Carly Slusser.  Butler continued to pressure Providence in the late moments of set one with a 4-0 run fueled by a service ace and a kill from Durbin. The Friars tried to crawl back in the set, but the Bulldogs claimed set one 25-21. 
 
Set 2 Providence (25-21)
The Friars opened the second set, taking an 8-4 lead behind two service errors and two service aces early in the frame. The Bulldogs continued to fight, but it was Providence who'd take a 15-13 edge at the halfway mark of the second set. The Bulldogs stayed within striking distance and tied the set at 20-20 on a kill from Zoe McDonald. However, Providence went on a 5-1 run to close out set two. 
 
Set 3 Butler (25-17)
Both sides traded points early, tying the set at 11-11. The Friars continued to fight; however, the Bulldogs pulled ahead to a 15-12 lead after two challenges, a kill from Ellery Rees, and an ace from Durbin to put the score at 15-12. Providence tried to respond, but Butler went on an 11-5 run fueled by six kills from the offense as the Bulldogs took set three 25-17.
 
Set 4 Providence (25-18)
The Friars jumped out to an early 11-5 lead in the frame. The Bulldogs trailed Providence 15-10 at the halfway mark of the set. The Friars maintained a small cushion with a 19-15 advantage late in the set. Two errors from the Bulldogs and a kill from Lyric Berry helped PC secure the 25-18 set victory. 
 
Set 5 Providence (15-11)
The fifth and final set opened even, 6-6. Kills from Karen Dutro and Durbin gave the Bulldogs a slim two-point advantage at the halfway mark. Providence stormed back, putting together a 9-3 run behind three kills and two service aces as the visitors secured the set and match victory. 
 
Up Next 
Butler will travel to Milwaukee, Wis., on Saturday, Oct. 24 to face Marquette. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT). The Bulldogs will then make the short trip to Chicago to face DePaul on Sunday, Oct. 25. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (3 p.m. CT).