Butler goes 3-1 at Lincoln Land Invitational

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Butler volleyball team saw its nine-match winning streak come to an end Friday at the Lincoln Land Invitational, but the Grizzlies bounced back to win the final three matches of the weekend.

Lincoln Land is ranked sixth nationally. Each of Butler's six losses this season have come to teams ranked in the top six at the time of the match. Butler, ranked 12th nationally, is now 23-6 overall.

The Grizzlies return home for a match on Wednesday for a Jayhawk Conference match against Kansas City Community College.

Lincoln Land 3, Butler 1 (25-23, 14-25, 26-24, 25-23)

Butler opened the tournament with a loss to No. 6 Lincoln Land. The match was close throughout with Lincoln Land winning its three sets by two points each, sandwiched around a dominant Butler win in the second set.

Kailan Kuzmic and Kailee Dudley led the offensive attack for the Grizzlies with 11 kills each, while Payton White added 10 of her own. Defensively for the Grizzlies, Jessi Green had 11 digs as did Mary Kangas to go along with her 31 assists and a service ace.

Butler 3, Harper 0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-19)

The Grizzlies rolled in their second game by sweeping Harper College in straight sets. McKenzie Johnson led the way with 10 kills and four service aces. Defensively the Grizzlies were led by Jessica Schwartz's 15 digs and Mary Kangas had 13 digs and 17 assists, both adding a service ace of their own.

Butler 3, Kankakee 1 (15-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-17)

Offensively Butler was led by Kailee Dudley's 12 kills and two service aces. Payton White added 11 kills and Jessi Green also with 11 kills and 21 digs. Jessica Schwartz led the defense with 26 digs while Kailan Kuzmic had 22 digs and eight kills. Mary Kangas finished with 24 assists and also had 13 digs and a service ace.

Butler 3, John A. Logan 1 (25-19, 25-27, 27-25, 25-18)

Butler finished the tournament by beating John A. Logan in four sets. Led by Payton White's 12 kills and Kailee Dudley's 11 kills and two solo blocks. Jessi Green added 10 kills and 12 digs while Jessica Schwartz led the defense with 24 digs. Kailan Kuzmic also had 12 digs and seven kills, with Mary Kangas adding 12 digs of her own to go along with her 27 assists.