The Butler volleyball team opens their season on the road in Councill Bluffs, IA as the defending NJCAA National Champions, the Iowa Western Reivers host the Reiver Classic this Friday and Saturday.
Butler begins the 2021 season squaring off against the No. 1-ranked team in the NJCAA in the Iowa Western Reivers on Friday, August 20 at 3:00pm. They will also take on Jefferson College (MO), No. 11-ranked Northeastern Junior College (CO) and No. 4-ranked Utah State Eastern throughout the weekend slate.
The Grizzlies finished last season with a 14-10 overall record and a fifth place KJCCC finish. They return five players who played during the spring season with two of their three All-KJCCC players back on roster in Jaryn Benning and Carly Clennan.
"In our five returners, all of them saw significant court time in the spring," said head coach Lisa Lechtenberg now in her fourth year. "We are happy that Jaryn decided to stay one more year and play with us again and Carly Clennan was an all-conference player as a true freshman last season for us. Our other returners include Caitlyn Rexroat, Sydney Morrow and Kayli Duncan who all saw good time last year."
With the return of just five players, Lechtenberg and assistant coach Tessa Cosby had to take to the recruiting trail to fill up the roster. They did just that as they signed eight freshman and acquired one transfer to round out this year's team.
"We feel we signed a really talented group of freshmen and added a solid transfer in Macie Shaver," added Lechtenberg. "There are a handful of freshmen that will contribute right away this season. Ivy Fink will be a fun player to watch as she is a dynamic, explosive six rotation outside. Rainey Aven is competing to earn the starting setter position alongside Dallas Baptist University transfer Macie Shaver. Both setters can run a smooth 5-1 and will compete for court time. This will be a fun class to watch grow during their time here at Butler."
Butler gets back to a normal fall season with a regular schedule of games this fall. The Grizzlies play their home opener on Wednesday, August 25 as they host Ottawa University and McPherson College in the Butler Triangular. Game times for the Grizzlies are at 1:00pm and 5:00pm. They open conference play a week later on Wednesday, September 1 as they host the Colby Trojans in a 6:00pm matchup.
