The seventh ranked Butler Grizzlies defeated the Dodge City Conquistadors in straight sets (25-23, 25-11, 25-22) at the Power Plant on Wednesday to improve to 23-2 on the year.
With the win, the Grizzlies notched their 20th consecutive victory, and their fourth straight sweep. The Grizzlies improved to 9-0 in conference play and 10-0 at home.
The match did not come without adversity, as the Grizzlies started slow and traded points with the Conqs throughout the first set. Neither team could get any kind of momentum, but the Grizzlies got the key points they needed to take the first set 25-23. Carly Clennan led the way in the first with five kills while Ivy Fink and Jaryn Benning both had four.
The Grizzlies came out in the second, jumping out to a 7-3 lead, forcing a Dodge City timeout. The Grizzlies momentum could not be stopped as they went on a 6-0 run after the timeout on the way to an easy 25-11 set win. Sydney Morrow had four kills and two aces to put the Grizzlies on the brink of victory.
"They're a pretty level headed team, and they know that they can control the game and handle it when they get down." Head coach Lisa Lechtenberg said of the team's adjustments after the first set.
The Grizzlies haven't dropped a set in four straight matches, but that streak nearly came to an end in the third set as the Conquistadors scored the first six points. The Grizzlies battled hard throughout but found themselves facing a 21-17 deficit. But the Grizzlies' experience kicked in late, as they would score five of the next six points, and then went on a 3-0 run to take the set and the match.
"They don't quit, they don't get timid, they don't back down." Lechtenberg said, of the team's ability to handle adversity. "And I hope that that's the atmosphere that we create every day in practice so that they're used to something like this."
The Grizzlies will look to keep their winning ways on Friday, as they travel to the Highland Triangular for back to back games against nationally ranked Indian Hills and Highland Community College.
"We'll prepare for these teams just like we prepare for a conference match." Lechtenberg said.