GARDEN CITY, Kan. - The Butler volleyball team opened the 2016 regular season Wednesday with a three-set loss to Garden City at the Dennis Perryman Athletic Complex.
The Grizzlies (0-1 overall), who play in a two-day tournament beginning Friday in Lamar, Colo., were swept 20-25, 14-25, 22-25 by Garden City.
Freshman middle hitter Cassidy Lutz led Butler with five kills and six blocks. On defense, freshman libero Katie Dyer had 14 digs, while freshman outside hitter Nicole Klusener added 12 digs. Freshman setter Andie Nibarger led the Grizzlies with nine assists.
"We had good passing and setting, but hitting errors cost us," said Butler head coach Rick Younger. "We were getting the swings. We just couldn't get the breaks. We need to clean up our attack game and fix the errors."
On Friday, Butler will play three matches beginning with a 2 p.m. contest against Otero, Colo. The Grizzlies will also play Frank Phillips, Texas at 4 p.m. and Cisco, Texas at 6 p.m. Butler ends the tournament Saturday with a 2 p.m. match against host Lamar.
Butler will then host Friends JV in the 2016 home opener at the El Dorado Rec Center on Monday, Aug. 29 at 6:00 p.m.