INDIANAPOLIS - The Butler volleyball fell to the Duke Blue Devils 3-1 on Friday afternoon at Hinkle Fieldhouse. With the loss, Butler slides to 6-5 on the season while Duke improves to 8-1 overall.
Bulldog Bites
- Jersey Loyer had 22 digs and four assist in the match.
- Chase Lemming was spectacular for the Bulldogs as the freshman posted a career-high 28 kills in the match. She also posted three blocks and two digs.
- Carly Slusser recorded six kills, including two in both sets one and three. Slusser also recorded seven blocks and one dig.
- Maria Nix posted five kills and three digs
- Karen Dutro tallied four kills, three blocks, and one assist.
On the Record with Head Coach Kyle Shondell
"Just ridiculously impressed with the heart and the fight from our team. Duke is no joke. All they've done this year is win. They're one of the most efficient teams in college volleyball, and at times we were holding them below .200. You can't talk about this match without talking about
Chase Lemming. She was without question the best player in the gym tonight, maybe the best player in America tonight. I just wish we could have put a little bit more pressure on Duke early and not have given up those first two sets. Obviously, we would have been in a pretty good situation. Just really, really happy with our grit and defense, but we know we let one get away."
Set 1 Duke (25-22)
Both sides opened set one trading points back and forth. The Blue Devils took a 15-9 lead at the halfway mark of the set. The Bulldogs continued to battle with the Blue Devils through the late moments of the frame, going on an 8-4 run. However, Duke took set one 25-22.
Set 2 Duke (28-26)
Butler traded points with the Blue Devils during the early moments of the frame. Duke held a narrow edge, 15-14, at the midway point of set two. Butler continued to battle throughout the entire frame. Ultimately, Duke took set two 28-26.
Set 3 Butler (25-12)
Butler opened with a commanding 8-3 lead in the early moments of set three. The Bulldogs continued that momentum, taking a 15-6 edge at the halfway mark of set three. Butler continued to pressure Duke and ultimately took set three 25-12.
Set 4 Duke (26-24)
Both teams opened set four trading points back-and-forth in the early moments of the frame; however, it was Duke who took a 15-13 lead at the midway mark in set four. Despite the Bulldogs keeping it close, Duke was able to secure the 26-24 victory in the fourth set as the visitors won the match 3-1.
Up Next
Butler will host LIU on Sunday at 2 p.m. to wrap up homecoming weekend. The Bulldogs will then host two matches to open BIG EAST play against Villanova on Friday, Sept. 25, with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. Butler will then square off with the Georgetown Hoyas on Saturday, Sept. 26. First serve for the match against the Hoyas is slated for 6 p.m., and both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+
