The Grizzlies advanced to their second straight Region VI championship in Liberal on Friday night, defeating the Hutchinson Blue Dragons for the third time this season with a 3-1 victory (20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 27-25) at The Greenhouse on the campus of Seward County.
The Grizzlies once again had to battle after a dramatic five set victory two days ago against Colby. The Grizzlies started slow and could not come back from an early deficit in the first set as they dropped a set to Hutchinson for the first time this season after sweeping the Blue Dragons in the first two matches between the two rival sides.
The Grizzlies responded well in the second set, leading the entire way before putting themselves on the brink of victory with a win in the third set. It was M'Kenzee Nkansah with the match winning block as the Grizzlies survived in an absolute battle of a fourth set.
It was Carrie Roe who stole the show for the second time this week. Fresh off a 17 kill performance against Colby the sophomore outside was elite again, finishing with 16 kills. She was joined by Ivy Fink who also had an impressive match, finishing with 12 kills as the duo powered the Grizzlies to the victory. Kennedy Kelly was next in line with 10.
The Grizzlies have now won six straight matches against the Blue Dragons, and improve to 25-11 on the year. Butler has now won seven straight matches dating back to October 14th.
The Butler win sets up an epic finale in the Region VI Championship against top seeded Seward. The Saints are ranked 14th in the nation, one spot below the Grizzlies, and the two teams shared the regular season conference title after splitting two matches with the home team winning in both matches. The Grizzlies and the Saints lock up in the title game for the second time, as the Grizzlies swept the Saints at the Power Plant last season to punch their ticket to their first ever National Tournament.
Watch the championship game today at 2:00pm - HERE