Five-set loss to No. 12 Johnson brings end to season

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Butler volleyball team saw one of the finest seasons in school history come to a close with an intense, five-set loss to No. 12 Johnson County on Saturday at the NJCAA District M tournament at Cowley.

Butler had a five-point lead early in the first set against Johnson, but the Cavaliers came from behind to win 25-2-. The Grizzlies then rolled through the next two sets, winning 25-18 and 25-20.

At that point, the Grizzlies were a set away from winning and advancing to the championship match. But the Grizzlies dropped the fourth set 25-21 and never really got going in the fifth set, falling 15-8.

Payton White had a tremendous match hitting .591 with 15 kills and four blocks, while Jordan Hoheisel added 10 blocks and 17 digs, Hanna Flaming was also in double figure kills with 11 and had five blocks. Haleigh Lewis had five kills and was in on eight blocks. Sam Jernigan had five kills and six blocks. Hope Harsh led the offense with 26 assists and Kailan Kuzmic added 18 assists.

Butler's loss brings the season to an end with a 31-7 record. The total number of wins is second most in Rick Younger's tenure, trailing only to the 2008 team with 38 wins. The seven losses are the fewest losses in a season under Younger.