Butler volleyball remained undefeated at the Power Plant for the 2017 season with a three-set sweep over Pratt on Friday.
The Grizzlies (13-6 overall, 4-3 conference) routed Pratt by a 25-8 score in the opening set, then closed out the match by winning 25-16 and 25-18 in the final two sets. The win moved Butler to 4-0 overall this season at home, while the sweep was the Grizzlies' eighth overall on the season.
After allowing Pratt to score the opening point in the first set, Butler scored a season-best 18 consecutive points enroute to winning the set. Sophomore middle hitter Aliyah Bernard had three kills and a block, while freshman outside hitter Claudia Hess added three kills and sophomore Nicole Klusener had a pair of serving aces during the run. Butler also took advantage of eight Pratt hitting errors on the 18-0 Grizzly run.
In the second set, Pratt held an early 4-3 lead before Butler took command of the set behind an 11-4 run. The Grizzlies would eventually double up the Beavers 22-11 before winning the set by nine points.
Butler led by as many as 12 points in the final set, reaching match point with a 24-12 lead. Pratt would score six straight before Bernard had a kill just inside the back line to end the match.
Bernard led the Grizzlies with 11 kills while hitting at a .450 clip, and also had a team-high three blocks, while Klusener had four aces, six kills and seven digs. Hess added nine digs and hit .389. Sophomore setter Andie Nibarger had a team-high 16 assists and 14 digs, while sophomore libero Abby Goodrum finished with 13 digs and one ace.
Butler will next host Ottawa University JV in a 6:30 p.m. match Monday at the Power Plant.
