Butler handles Friends at home for a second time

Butler handles Friends at home for a second time

The Butler volleyball team snapped a four-game skid with a straight-set sweep of Friends JV on Monday night at the El Dorado Recreation Center. 

Playing in El Dorado for just the second time this season, the Grizzlies trailed just once all night on their way to the 25-13, 25-14, 25-17 victory.

Butler was tied 7-7 in the first set before reeling off 12 straight points behind the serving of Alex Stiles, who had four service aces in that stretch.

Butler cruised through the second set as well, but fell behind by as many as three points in the third set before rallying. Friends led 4-1 early and still led 9-7 before Butler went on a 6-0 run behind the serving of Brooke Fender.

Fender led Butler with six service aces in the match, while Alex Stiles had give and Cassie Pauls had two.  Pauls led Butler with nine kills, while Fender had eight, Kelsey Hitch had seven and Cassidy Lutz had six. Butler had two solo blocks in the match, one each from Brooke Fender and Aliyah Bernard. Libero Abby Goodrum had 22 digs for Butler, while Fender added12.

Butler improves to 5-6 overall on the season. The Grizzlies head to Dodge City for a weekend tournament, taking on the Conqs on Friday at 1 p.m. and then playing three more non-conference matches by facing Trinidad State at 7 p.m. Friday and Lamar and Cedar Valley on Saturday at 10 a.m. and noon, respectively.