The Bulldogs tallied wins over Valparaiso and Marian on Saturday's home opener at the Butler Bubble. Butler moves to 5-1 on the year, while the Crusaders and the Knights both start the season at 0-1.
 
The first match of the day was even on both sides, as four of the six singles match-ups went to third sets, including the ultimate determining No. 5 flight.
 
The Bulldogs came out strong, as Thomas Brennan/Olof Wiklund claimed the top doubles spot, 6-4. Alvaro Huete Vadillo/Zach Trimpe followed suit with a 7-5 win in the No. 3 spot to take the doubles point.
 
In singles, Brennan dropped his first match of the season, falling 4-6, 3-6 in the top flight to even the match 1-1. His doubles partner, Wiklund, won the No. 4 flight in three sets (6-0, 4-6, 7-5) to put the Bulldogs ahead.
 
Shortly after, Filip Tensing fell in three sets in the No. 2 flight, evening the match back up. Huete came through for Butler's second singles win, taking a three-set victory in the No. 3 flight.  That result set Drew Michael up to claim the match with a No. 5 flight win. Michael battled back after a 5-7 first set loss to take the next two, 6-4, 6-1.
 
The Bulldogs rode that victory straight into the match against Marian. Butler claimed the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles flights, while also leading the No. 2 flight.
 
Butler needed only three singles matches to close out the win, as Tensing, Huete and Wiklund all tallied straight set victories. Brennan, Michael, and Michael Karr led in their respective sets.
 
The Bulldogs will take their 5-1 record on the road to Ohio, where they will face Cleveland State on Friday, Feb. 1, followed by Youngstown State on Saturday, Feb. 2.
 
Butler 4, Valparaiso 3
Doubles (order of finish: 1, 3*, 2)

1. Brennan/Wiklund (Butler) def. Acona/Pecyna, 6-4
2. Michael/Reogner (Butler) tied Langston/Leithold, 5-5 (unfinished)
3. Huete/Trimpe (Butler) def. Brozovich/Carvajal, 7-5

Singles (order of finish: 1, 4, 2, 3, 5*, 6)

1. Ancona (Valpo) def. Brennan, 6-4, 6-3
2. Pecyna (Valpo) def. Tensing, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
3. Huete (Butler) def. Langston, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6
4. Wiklund (Butler) def. Carvajal, 6-0, 4-6, 7-5
5. Michael (Butler) def. Mendoza, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1
6. Leithold (Valpo) def. Roegner, 6-3, 7-5

 
Butler 4, Marian 0
Doubles (order of finish: 1, 3*)

1. Brennan/Wiklund (Butler) def. Deiters/Jesus, 6-1
2. Roegner/Michael (Butler) led Wittenbaum/Sylvester, 5-4 (unfinished)
3. Huete/Trimpe (Butler) def. Lopez/Fulling, 6-4

Singles (order of finish: 3, 4, 2*)

1. Brennan (Butler) led Voshchenkov, 7-5, 3-3 (unfinished)
2. Tensing (Butler) def. Sylvester, 6-0, 6-1
3. Huete (Butler) def. Jesus, 6-0, 6-1
4. Wiklund (Butler) def. Lopez, 6-0, 6-3
5. Michael (Butler) led Dieters, 2-1 (unfinished)
6. Karr (Butler) led Fulling, 1-0 (unfinished)