Butler infielder Makena Alexander has been selected by the BIG EAST as Player of the Week for the second time this season, and fellow infielder Kayla Preiss has been honored as BIG EAST Freshman of the Week. Teammate Katie Petran was recognized on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll. All three had notable performances this past weekend when the Bulldogs swept a three-game series at Villanova.

Alexander led Butler at the plate vs. the Wildcats, hitting .667 with two doubles, three home runs, and 10 RBI. She hit two home runs in game two (W, 12-5), contributing four RBI, three runs, and two runs scored. In game three, the junior's three-run homer in the 10th inning provided the winning margin [W, 12-9 (10)]. On the week, Alexander boasted a 1.583 slugging percentage.

Preiss went 5-for-14 (.357) with two doubles, five RBI, and five run scored in a trio of conference wins over Villanova. The freshman infielder logged at least one run and one RBI in each game of the series. In a closely contested 12-9 (10) victory on Sunday, Preiss contributed three crucial runs and one RBI.

Petran posted a 2-0 record and 1.40 ERA, striking out seven in 10 innings of work. She pitched a complete-game victory over Villanova (W, 6-2) on Friday, striking out five.

Butler is 10-9 in the 2026 campaign and is currently on a four-game winning streak. The Bulldogs host Seton Hall for a BIG EAST series this weekend.