Valparaiso closed out Horizon League play on Sunday afternoon, suffering a 7-0 setback to Butler at the Valpo Tennis Complex.

“We came out ready to play today,” head coach Jim Daugherty said.  “I can’t fault our energy and effort, but you really have to give Butler credit.  They simply outplayed us today.”

The Crusaders’ Adam Whitmer (Shipshewana, Ind./Westview H.S.) and Chris Baum (Charlotte, N.C./Providence H.S.) posted the lone win for the Brown and Gold at number two doubles, defeating Zach Ervin and Chris Herron in a tie-break 8-7 (5).  Butler (8-12, 4-3 Horizon) won the other two doubles contests to take the first point though.  Ben Raynauld and Bryce Warren defeated Tom Litscher (Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial H.S.) and Arne Deihle (Reutlingen, Germany/Johannes Kepler H.S.) 8-1 at the top spot while Stephen McLoughlin and Lenz Theodor were 8-3 victors against Kyle Stump (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth H.S.) and Kevin DeHerrera (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield H.S.).

In singles action, Baum took Raynauld to a pair of tie-breaks at the top spot before falling 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5).  Herron added a 6-2, 6-0 win against Whitmer at number two while Warren was a 6-3, 6-3 victor against Stump at the third spot.  Brandon Bayliss downed Litscher 6-1, 6-2 at the fourth spot while Ervin defeated DeHerrera 6-2, 6-0 at number five singles.  Theodor rounded out the lineup with a 6-3, 6-2 win against Deihle.

Valparaiso (4-13, 2-5) will wrap up the 2010 season on Tuesday afternoon hosting Chicago State.  First serve is set for 3 p.m. at the Valpo Tennis Complex.