The Butler volleyball team put together its finest weekend of the season so far, winning three out of four matches on its home floor at the Butler Invitational.

On Friday, the Grizzlies handed Garden City in four sets in a Jayhawk West Conference match before sweeping Friends JV later that evening. On Saturday, Butler lost in straight sets to a tough Mineral Area (Mo.) squad, but bounced back to beat Clarendon (Texas) in four sets to close out the event. 

The Grizzlies are now 7-26 on the season and are 3-11 in conference play, which moves Butler a half-game ahead of Garden City into seventh place in the standings. The Grizzlies will resume league play with a match Wednesday at Colby.

Butler 3, Garden City 1 (25-23, 25-22, 18-25, 25-18)

This match was not only the opening match of the Butler Invitational, but also counted as a conference match. Butler jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the first set, but Garden City clawed its way back to tie things at 23-23 before Butler scored the final two points. The second set was much like the first as Butler saw a 6-1 lead evaporate late, only to win 25-22.

Garden City controlled the third set throughout, forcing a fourth set. Butler regrouped and took the set 25-18 to win the match.

Rebecca Sewald led Butler offensively with 10 kills, while Lauren Truvillion had a solid match with nine kills and 16 digs. Courtney Walker had eight kills, while Maddison Britton had seven kills and three aces.

Halie Sigurdson had 24 assists, a pair of aces and 17 digs, while Hanna McCarty added 24 digs.

Butler 3, Friends JV 0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-17)

Butler was rarely challenged by Friends JV, sweeping the Falcons in straight sets

Maddison Britton had eight kills and an eye-popping .538 hitting percentage in the match. Lauren Truvillion also had eight kills. Hanna McCarty had 12 digs.

Mineral Area College 3, Butler 0 (21-25, 26-28, 15-25)

Butler battled the Cardinals in early-morning action on Saturday, but never could get over the hump in the match. Butler led 18-16 in the first set before Mineral Area score five straight to gain the momentum and eventually, the win. Butler again had a lead in the second set, which was close throughout. After being tied at 26-26, Mineral Area scored the final two points for the win. Mineral Area then took control in the third set.

Janay Maggett had eight kills and four blocks, while Rebecca Sewald had eight kills and Brenna Haines had seven. Haley Sigurdson had 16 assists. Hanna McCarty had 22 digs and three service aces.

Butler 3, Clarendon 1 (18-25, 26-24, 25-21, 28-26)

Butler lost the first set, but then rallied to win three straight, including two sets that went long. The match point in the fourth set was decided when Clarendon coach Melvin Balogh was issued a red card and ejected from the match, giving Butler a point and the win at 28-26. Maddison Britton had another big match, with a .538 hitting percentage, 16 kills and three blocks. Lauren Truvillion had 12 kills and 22 digs, while Rebecca Sewald and Courtney Walker had eight kills each. Hanna McCarty had 24 digs and an ace. Halie Sigurdson had 24 assists and 15 digs.