Butler dropped a close 4-3 decision to Middle Tennessee Friday afternoon at the Butler Tennis Bubble in Indianapolis.
 
The Bulldogs got out to a strong start, taking the doubles point behind wins on the first and second courts. Natalie Boesing and Chase Metcalf combined on a 6-2 win at No. 1 doubles, while Delaney Schurhamer and Veronika Bruetting took a 6-1 victory on the second court.
 
Metcalf carried over her doubles momentum to singles play, winning over Muskan Gupta at No. 3 singles by a score of 6-4, 7-5. At No. 6 singles, Emma Beavin also picked up a win for the Bulldogs, taking a decisive 6-2, 6-0 win over Camila Barragan.
 
Middle Tennessee (8-2) was able to take the team win with four singles victories Friday, three coming in three sets. The most even match of the day was on the fifth court as Noelle Mauro topped Butler's Katie Beavin, but needed a pair of tiebreakers to do so.
 
With the result, the Bulldogs are now 2-7 on the young season. The team has a quick turnaround, traveling to Purdue for a Saturday 4 p.m. first serve.

Singles

1. Love-Star Alexis (MTSU) def. Natalie Boesing, 6-3, 6-3
2. Sana Garakani (MTSU) def. Delaney Schurhamer, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3
3. Chase Metcalf (Butler) def. Muskan Gupta, 6-4, 7-5
4. Lilly-Sophie Schmidt (MTSU) def. Norah Balthazor, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
5. Noelle Mauro (MTSU) def. Katie Beavin, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6
6. Emma Beavin (Butler) def. Camila Barragan, 6-2, 6-0

Doubles

1. Boesing/Metcalf (Butler) def. Garakani/Barragan, 6-2
2. Schurhamer/Bruetting (Butler) def. Schmidt/Mauro, 6-1
3. Alexis/Gupta (MTSU) led Balthazor/Schildcrout, 4-3 (unfinished)