STORRS, CONN - The Butler Bulldogs defeated the UConn Huskies, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Bulldogs close out the season 12-16 overall and 6-10 in the BIG EAST. The Huskies close out the season 10-19 overall and 3-13 in conference action. 
 
Bulldog Bites 

• Ava Hunter recorded 21 assists and seven digs. She split time with Sarah Kempf, who recorded 16 assists and seven digs.   
• Jersey Loyer posted 16 digs and five assists.
• Raegan Durbin registered 14 kills, including five in both the first and second set. She also posted four digs and two blocks.  
• Elise Ward totaled nine kills, including her 1,000th career kill in the second set. She also posted eight digs and three blocks. 
• Ellery Rees marked eight kills.    

 
On the Record with Head Coach Kyle Shondell
"It always feels good to get the last one. With no tangible reward, it takes a high level of maturity to come out the way we did and play great volleyball. I was thrilled with Raegan Durbin's effort tonight offensively. She came through big when needed. I thought Jersey Loyer managed our backcourt incredibly well. I was also really pleased with our serving effort; it made slowing UConn down easy."
 
Set 1 Butler (25-16)
Butler opened the match by jumping out to an 8-0 run over UConn, courtesy of an ace and kill by Durbin along with kills from Maria Nix and Karen Dutro. The Huskies responded to BU's run with a 4-1 run of their own; however, Butler quickly went on the offensive and strung together a 5-2 run driven by kills from Durbin and Ellery Rees to take the lead over UConn at the halfway mark. BU continued to pressure the Huskies with a 6-3 run sparked by Ward with an ace and a kill, as well as Carly Slusser adding a kill. UConn fought back with a 3-0 run late in the set, but Rees sealed the first set with a kill to give BU a set one victory, 25-16. 
 
Set 2 Butler (25-22)
BU began the second set on a 5-2 run behind consecutive kills from Durbin, Slusser and Ward; however, UConn responded with a 6-1 run to take the lead. After trading points back and forth, BU sparked a 7-3 run behind Ward's 1,000th career kill and kills from Durbin, Nix and Rees. The Huskies found themselves down 15-13 at the halfway mark of the second set. Butler continued to trade points with UConn as the Huskies tied the match at 17-17; however, BU responded with a 3-1 run behind kills from Slusser. The Huskies continued to fight, but a 3-1 run by Butler closed out the set and claimed set two 25-22.    
 
Set 3 UConn (25-20)
UConn opened the third set on a 6-3 run. Butler quickly responded with a 3-0 run, but the Huskies answered right back. BU continued to trade points with the Huskies and tied the third set at 13-13; however, it was the Huskies who took a narrow 15-14 edge over Butler. UConn continued to pressure BU down the stretch, going on a 7-4 run. Butler tried to rally back; however, the Huskies closed out the set on a 3-1 run to claim set three, 25-20. 
 
Set 4 Butler (25-20)
Butler began the fourth set on a 5-1 run courtesy of Ward with back-to-back kills and an ace, but UConn responded with a 6-2 run that tied the score at 7-7. BU then went on an 8-4 run that gave Butler a 15-11 edge over UConn. BU came out of the midway point on a 7-4 run driven by Durbin, Nix and Rees. UConn responded with a 4-1 rally late in the set; however, service errors from UConn closed out the set for Butler as the Bulldogs claimed the fourth set 25-20 and an overall match victory.