Broncbusters comeback bid comes up just short against Butler

El Dorado, KS-Garden City suffered a heartbreaking loss on the road Wednesday night. At the same time, Casie Lowden's team showed enough perseverance to make the first-year coach smile afterwards.

Amalie Rupertova had 20 kills, sophomore Claudia Hess added 12, and Butler escaped with a five-set, 25-14, 25-22, 21-25, 22-25 and 15-13 victory over the Broncbusters at the Power Plant.

"We didn't start off very well," Lowden explained. "But we picked things up as the match went on."

The Grizzlies raced out to a commanding two sets to none lead only to have Garden City steal the third and fourth frames. Then, in the final stanza, the Broncbusters (0-6, 0-1) built a 6-0 edge. As the teams switched side, Garden City was up 8-2.

"These girls showed a lot tonight," Lowden said. "It's not easy coming back from being down two sets."

Down six, Butler (4-2, 1-0) went on the attack, scoring 12 of the next 15 points to take a 14-11 lead. The Broncbusters tallied the next two to make it a one-point match before Sydney Mossman's spike ended the match.

"We just have to be more consistent," Lowden said."

Next up: Garden City at Seward County-Saturday, Sept. 1 6:30 p.m.