The Butler Grizzlies defeated the 7th ranked Snow College Badgers in straight sets, (25-22, 26-24, 25-16) to advance to the final four of the NJCAA Div. I National Volleyball tournament in Hutchinson on Thursday. The win improves Butler's record to 37-2, and improves the Grizzlies winning streak to 33 straight games. The win will advance Butler to the national semifinals for the first time in program history.
The Badgers, ranked 10th in the nation, did not make it easy. The Grizzlies jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the first set, but Snow went on an 8-1 run of their own to take back the lead. After the Badgers took a 21-20 lead, but the Grizzlies scored four of the last five points to take the set by a three point margin.
Snow took the momentum in the next set. The Badgers jumped out to a 5-1 lead, and they took a five point lead on two separate occasions during the set. But the Grizzlies kept their composure, as they have all season, to tie the set at 15. Caitlyn Rexroat starred in crunch time, scoring the final three points, as the Grizzlies found the final two points to put them on the brink of punching their ticket to the semifinals.
The Grizzlies finished, as they have all season. Back to back blocks by Kayli Duncan forced a three point lead and a Snow timeout. But the Grizzlies kept the momentum rolling, getting the game to 20-16, and they would close out the match with a 5-0 run to put the nail in the coffin.
It was a balanced effort, as it has been all season. Vanja Przuli, Kayli Duncan, and Ivy Fink all had eight kills. Duncan led the team in blocks with five. Caitlyn Rexroat starred defensively with 22 digs, and Sydney Morrow led the team in aces with two.
"They don't get rattled," head coach Lisa Lechtenberg said. "We try to create an atmosphere during practice so that they don't get rattled, but you can't simulate this. They just took care of it on their own. It's the entire team."
The Grizzlies were boosted by the Grizzlies fans who made the trip to Hutchinson.
"I don't generally hear fans very much, but I can't tell you how proud I am of our fans," Lechtenberg said. "This is the national tournament, and we're the loudest ones in here, so just hearing them during lineups is wonderful and I know that the girls really enjoy it as well."
With the win, the Grizzlies will advance to Friday's semifinal matchup where they will face sixth seeded New Mexico Military Institute for a spot in the national title game.
"We're gonna go eat and then I'm going to watch film and see what we need to do." said Lecthenberg.
Butler will take on New Mexico Military in the Sports Arena Friday, November 19th at 6:30pm in Hutchinson.
