The Butler Bulldogs fell short against the preseason No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers in a three-plus-one format. The Bulldogs will have one more exhibition match before regular season play begins. 
 
Bulldog Bites 

• Raegan Durbin led the Bulldogs offensively with six kills, including four in the fourth set. 
• Elise Ward provided a strong all-around performance with four kills, two blocks and one service ace.
• Carly Slusser made an impact defensively at the net with four blocks, including a solo block in the first set and two additional blocks in the second.
• Karen Dutro recorded four kills, including a kill to open the scoring for Butler in the third set and two more in the fourth set.
• Maria Nix contributed two kills and one block, with her first kill coming in the opening set to help Butler stay within reach of Wisconsin. 
• Sarah Kempf sparked Butler's strong start in the fourth set with a service ace during a three-point stretch that helped the Bulldogs build an early 10-2 lead.  

 
Set 1 Wisconsin (25-14)
Butler opened the set with an early service ace from Ava Hunter and stayed within striking distance throughout the opening stretch. After Wisconsin took a 10-5 lead, Nix answered with a kill to help spark the Bulldogs. Butler continued to battle, with Ward and Sawyer Jones contributing defensively before Jones and Slusser teamed up for a block to bring the Bulldogs within five with the score being 16-11 Wisconsin. Slusser followed with a solo block as Butler continued to challenge Wisconsin at the net. The Bulldogs kept fighting late, but Wisconsin closed out the set 25-14. 
 
Set 2 Wisconsin (25-10)
Butler battled early, with Jones and Durbin recording kills before Slusser and Nix teamed up for a block to keep the Bulldogs within reach. Butler continued to compete at the net, with a block from Slusser and Durbin along with a kill from Zoe McDonald. Ward added a service ace to bring Butler within 14-8, while Slusser added a late match kill. Wisconsin pulled away late to take the second set, 25-10. 
 
Set 3 Wisconsin (25-13) 
Butler continued to battle throughout the third set. Dutro opened the scoring for the Bulldogs with a kill, while Ward added two kills and a block as Butler worked to stay within reach. Durbin and Nix also contributed kills late, but Wisconsin pulled away in the closing points. Wisconsin took the set 25-13.
 
Set 4 Wisconsin (30-28)
Set four, which was guaranteed as part of the four-set format, saw a thrilling final set that ended 30-28 in favor of Wisconsin. The Bulldogs came out strong, building an early 10-2 lead behind kills from Durbin and Dutro, along with a service ace from Kempf. Butler continued to fight throughout the set, with Ward and Jones making key plays at the net and the Bulldogs battling back late to force extra points. Butler fought off several set points, but Wisconsin ultimately secured the set, 30-28. 
 
Up Next 
Butler will return to Indiana for one final preseason tune-up against preseason No. 9 Purdue. The match in West Lafayette, Ind. is scheduled for Aug. 21 with first serve slated for 6:30 p.m. at Holloway Gymnasium.