The Butler Grizzlies bounced back from a tough weekend in Iowa to open the season, earning their first victory of the year with a 3-0 sweep of the Cloud County Thunderbirds (25-23, 25-23, 25-18) at the Power Plant in Butler's home opener on Wednesday.
Butler improves to 1-3 on the year and 1-0 in KJCCC play with the victory. Butler improves their home winning streak to 16 games and their conference winning streak to 17 straight victories.
Ivy Fink starred in the first set, earning four kills and two aces, as the Grizzlies opened up a 24-17 lead and managed to earn the first set victory.
The Grizzlies again had to sweat out the second set before finally taking over late to take control of the match. The Grizzlies earned 12 kills in the second frame, led by Kennedy Kelly who earned four. Rainey Aven contributed some sweet passing, tallying six assists.
Butler took control in the third set, jumping out to a 4-0 lead that they'd never relinquish. Sydney Lentz powered Butler to the set victory with four kills, and the Grizzlies were helped by three aces from Kenendy Kelly.
The Grizzlies totaled 36 kills on the night, led by Kelly with eight and Lentz who earned seven. The Grizzlies also finished with nine aces in the match, led by Kelly and Fink who had four each.
Butler is back on the road in two days time as they look to earn their first winning streak of the season, traveling to Colby to face the Trojans on August 26th. Butler will return home in two weeks time in a rematch against the Trojans at the Power Plant on September 7th as they hope to stay unbeaten in conference play.
