The Bulldogs started the 2020 season off in style Saturday afternoon, posting a 4-1 win over UIC in a neutral-site match in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Butler swept the doubles point with 6-3 wins on the first and third courts to go along with a thrilling 7-6 (12-10) tiebreaker victory by Ryan Roegner and Zach Trimpe at No. 2 doubles.

In singles play, several of Butler's freshmen got the team rolling in their first dual match action. Olof Wiklund topped Anthony Nguyen, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 4 singles, while classmate Alvaro Huete took a 6-3, 6-2 decision over Niko Wasilewicz on the third court. Those wins gave Butler a 3-0 lead in the match.

UIC responded by taking the No. 5 singles court before Butler sophomore Thomas Brennan clinched the match at No. 1 singles with a 7-6 (5), 6-2 win over Johan Hedstrom.

Butler completes its opening weekend of play Sunday when the Bulldogs match up with Western Michigan in Kalamazoo.
 
Butler 4, UIC 1

Doubles (order of finish: 1, 3, 2)

1. Brennan/Wiklund (Butler) def. Hedstrom/Parlklo, 6-3
2. Roegner/Trimpe (Butler) def. Wasilewicz/Wale, 7-6 (12-10)
3. Michael/Karr (Butler) def. Strandberg/Dos Santos, 6-3

 
Singles (order of finish: 4, 3, 5, 1)

1. Thomas Brennan (Butler) def. Johan Hedstrom, 7-6 (5), 6-2
2. Filip Tensing (Butler) led Kasper Parlklo, 6-0, 5-5 (unfinished)
3. Alvaro Huete (Butler) def. Niko Wasilewicz, 6-3, 6-2
4. Olof Wiklund (Butler) def. Anthony Nguyen, 6-3, 6-1
5. Pelle Strandberg (UIC) def. Drew Michael, 7-5, 6-2
6. Ryan Roegner (Butler) led Luiz Dos Santos, 6-1, 4-6, 4-1 (unfinished)