The Bulldogs picked up a conference win in their first BIG EAST contest of the season, downing Villanova, 6-1, Friday afternoon at the Butler Tennis Bubble in Indianapolis.

The win pushes Butler's overall record to 11-4 on the Spring. Villanova is now 5-9.

The Bulldogs got out to a strong start by taking the doubles point. Aviv Ben Shabat and Mason Dragos combined for a 6-3 win on the first court, while Ari Gerstein and Adrian Mag won, 6-2, at the No. 3 spot.

Dragos picked up his second win of the day with a 7-5, 7-6 win over Stefan Suarez at No. 1 singles. Butler took the first five singles matches in straight sets as Michael Dickson, Spencer Lang, Ben Shabat, and Mag all followed suit.

This was the first meeting between the two programs since Butler pulled out a 4-3 win in the BIG EAST Quarterfinals en route to the 2017 BIG EAST title in Cayce, S.C.

Butler returns to action April 4, traveling to Ball State for a 3 p.m. match.

Singles

1. Mason Dragos (Butler) def. Stefan Suarez, 7-5, 7-6 (2)
2. Michael Dickson (Butler) def. Tyler Roth, 6-4, 7-5
3. Spencer Lang (Butler) def. Dylan Flanagan, 6-0, 6-1
4. Aviv Ben Shabat (Butler) def. Thomas Dodson, 6-2, 6-4
5. Adrian Mag (Butler) def. Tommy Mulfur, 6-2, 6-1
6. Alastair Hurry (VU) def. Sam Sullivan, 7-6 (3), 6-1

Order of Finish: 3, 4, 2, 1, 5, 6

Doubles

1. Ben Shabat/Dragos (Butler) def. Dodson/Roth, 6-3
2. Dickson/Lang (Butler) led Will Elmore/Suarez, 6-5 (did not finish)
3. Ari Gerstein / Mag (Butler) def. Mike Czlonka/Mulfur, 6-2

Order of Finish: 3, 1