Grizzlies Fall in Three Sets to Dodge City

EL DORADO, KAN. – The Butler Grizzlies fall to 0-3 in conference play after loss to Dodge City.

The Grizzlies (6-6, 0-3) faced a tough and gritty Dodge City (8-6, 2-0) squad Monday night in the Power Plant. Dodge City took all three sets from the Grizzlies, winning 25-14, 25-21, and 25-22. From the start, Dodge City took an early 7-0 lead over the Grizzlies in the first set that forced Butler head coach Lisa Lechtenberg to call a timeout. Dodge City continued to put on the pressure, extending their lead to 20-6 that forced the Grizzlies to call their second and final timeout of the set. Butler was never able to cut the Dodge City lead, ultimatley falling in the first set 25-14. 

In the second set, the Grizzlies kept things much more competitive, as the majority of the set was neck and neck, with the Grizzlies leading the first half of the set. Butler led Dodge City 13-9, but then the Conquistadors rallied and tied the set at 14-14. Dodge City then extended their lead 20-16 and never looked back, taking the second set from the Grizzlies 25-21. 

The third set was another back and forth affair. The Grizzlies opened the set with an early 8-4 lead, and then Dodge City again rallied and tied the set 8-8. Every time the Grizzlies would stretch their lead, it seemed like Dodge City always had an answer. The Grizzlies had a 22-21 lead that forced Dodge City to call a timeout. Out of the timeout, Dodge City's Kayla Cantrill tied the set at 22-22 with a kill. From this point, the Conquistadors never lost their lead again, winning the third set 25-22 and sweeping the Grizzlies. 

Sophomore Rylin Sommer led the Grizzlies in kills on the night with six, also adding four digs. True freshman Bella Holcomb led the team with 14 assists. On the night, Butler finished with 30 kills and 12 errors on 75 total attacks. 

Next Up: The Grizzlies will travel to Amarillo, Texas for the Amarillo College Tournament from the FirstBank Southwest Center. Butler will take on Otero College at 4 p.m. on Friday, followed by Amarillo College at 6 p.m. The Grizzlies will take on two other opponents on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.