Butler fell in their first match of the season 2-5 to Middle Tennessee State on Friday afternoon at the Butler Bubble. Three Bulldog freshmen made their collegiate debuts in the match. 
 
In doubles action, the team of Natalie Boesing and Sarah Monesmith fell in the first flight 1-6, but Veronika Bruetting and Lauryn Padgett tied it with a 6-4 win in the third flight. Sara Linn and Delaney Schurhamer fought in a tight #2 flight set, but fell 4-6, and the Blue Raiders took the doubles point. 
 
In her first collegiate singles matchup, Boesing was able to battle and take her first victory. She took the first set 6-4, then after falling in the second set 4-6, she was able to fight out a 7-6(6) win in the third set to take the flight. Closing out singles play, Hallie Leblebijian won the sixth flight in straight sets (6-4, 6-4).

Middle Tennessee sealed the match with straight set wins in the fourth, second, and third flights. The Raiders also took the fifth flight in straight sets.
 
The Bulldogs will head to Oxford, Ohio next to face Miami on Sunday.
 
Middle Tennessee State 5, Butler 2
 
Doubles (order of finish: 1, 3, 2)
 
1. Barnard/Burrows (MT) def Boesing/Monesmith (BU) 6-1
2. Alexis/Gupta (MT) def Linn/Schurhamer (BU) 6-4
3. Bruetting/Padgett (BU) def Mauro/Schmidt (MT) 6-4
 
Singles (order of finish: 4, 2, 3, 1, 5, 6)
 
1. Boesing (BU) def Barnard (MT) 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (6)
2. Burrows (MT) def Padgett (BU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Barnard (MT) def Schurhamer (BU) 6-4, 6-3
4. Gupta (MT) def Linn (BU) 6-0, 6-2
5. Alexis (MT) def Bruetting (BU) 6-2, 6-3
6. Leblebijian (BU) def Mauro (MT) 6-4, 6-4