The Butler Grizzlies earned one of the biggest wins of the season, defeating the 19th ranked Hutchinson Blue Dragons in straight sets on the road at Hutchinson Sports Arena on Wednesday (25-17, 25-20, 25-23.) The victory means Butler is in sole possession of second place in the Jayhawk West division adnd still have to face the current leader Seward twice over the next two weeks.
The Grizzlies jumped out to a 13-8 lead in the first set, forcing a Hutchinson timeout. They would keep the lead the entire first set, and that momentum would carry them the rest of the way. A late Hutchinson rally would prove not enough, as the Grizzlies scored the final two points of the match to preserve the sweep.
Kennedy Kelly led the team in kills, finishing with nine, on 15 attacks, for a hitting percentage of .533, adding to her totals as national leader with a hitting percentage of .388 this season. Carrie Roe and McKenna Rhodes were next in line for the Grizzlies, finishing with seven kills each. Butler hit at a percentage of .296 as a team, earning 37 kills on 98 attacks.
Rainey Aven led the team in service aces, accounting for two of the Grizzlies' four. Aven is coming off a match that saw her set the school record for assists, passing Christine Brown on Friday in a match against Trinity Valley. Aven is currently fourth in the nation in assists, and she was her usual self in the middle again for the Grizzlies, finishing with 29. The sophomore from Hereford, Texas also accounted for both of Butler's blocks.
The victory improves Butler's record to 18-10 on the year, and 9-1 in conference play. Next up is another huge match for the Grizzlies as they face off against the top team in the Jayahwk East division, facing off against the Seward Saints in Liberal on Friday.