Fishers, IND – The Butler Bulldogs capped off their home tournament with another impressive victory on Saturday, taking down the Eastern Michigan Eagles in a four-set match (25-23, 25-14, 21-25, 25-22) at the Fishers Event Center. The win improved Butler’s record to 7-6 on the season and showcased their balanced attack and resilience. The Eagles, meanwhile, fall to 8-5 for the year despite a strong defensive performance.

➡️  Butler vs Eastern Michigan photos

The first two sets were dominated by the Bulldogs. The opening frame was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team holding a significant lead. However, Butler was able to close out the set with a late push, taking it 25-23. The Bulldogs carried that momentum into the second set, which they won handily, 25-14. The offense was orchestrated by setter Kaylee Finnegan, who finished the match with 55 assists, and led by Alaleh Tolliver, who recorded 20 kills on a remarkable .341 hitting percentage.

Just as it seemed Butler was on its way to another sweep, Eastern Michigan mounted a significant comeback in the third set. The Eagles’ defense stiffened, led by middle blocker Hatteras Welker, who recorded a historic 11 total blocks in the match, tying a program record for a four-set contest. The defensive effort allowed Eastern Michigan to build an early lead, and they held on to win the set 25-21, forcing a fourth set.

Despite the loss of momentum, Butler regrouped in the fourth set. The Bulldogs were able to once again find their offensive rhythm, with Tolliver and teammate Elise Ward (17 kills) providing the firepower. While Eastern Michigan continued to fight, Butler maintained its composure and secured the final set 25-22, sealing the 3-1 victory.

The match statistics underscored Butler’s offensive strength, as they outkilled the Eagles 60-46 and out-assisted them 58-44. While Eastern Michigan held a 13-12 advantage in total blocks, it was Butler’s consistency on offense and key performances from Tolliver (who also notched a double-double with 12 digs), Finnegan, and Ward that ultimately made the difference and helped the Bulldogs finish their tournament on a high note.