TOWANDA, Kan. – The Butler volleyball team rolled to a straight-set victory over Garden City on Wednesday at the Circle High gymnasium, breaking a two-game losing streak and avenging an earlier loss to the Broncbusters.
Butler had lost in straight sets in Garden City in the opening match of the season in August, but on Wednesday, Butler won by scores of 25-17, 25-23, 25-13.
Garden City took a 2-0 lead in the first set and led until Butler tied the set 9-9. Garden City scored next to take a 10-9 lead before Butler would score seven straight, triggered by back-to-back kills by Brooke Fender and Cassie Pauls. Butler would also get a block from Hayley Leeper, a service ace from Abby Goodrum and another kill from Fender in stretching the lead to 16-10. A kill from Nicole Klusener ended the first set at 25-17.
Butler had the advantage early in the second set, leading 8-5 before Garden City came back, eventually taking a 17-16 lead. The set was tied 22-22 before Butler scored two straight, the second coming from another kill by Fender. Fender was blocked to make the score 24-23 before Haley Sigurdson tipped a ball over the net that Garden couldn't return, finishing the set.
The third set was close early before Butler scored four straight to take a 10-7 lead, forcing a Garden City timeout. Butler continued to surge, going up 16-10 before winning 25-13.
The Grizzlies improve to 14-9 overall and 4-8 in Jayhawk West play. Butler is 10-3 over the past month, including 4-3 in conference play.
Butler is on the road this weekend at the Mineral Area College Invitational near St. Louis. Butler will play four matches, two on Friday and two on Saturday.
