Valparaiso just missed earning its first Horizon League victory of the season on Saturday morning, dropping a tight 4-3 decision to Butler at the Butler Bubble in Indianapolis, Ind.

The teams split the six singles matches, but Butler (6-14, 3-3 Horizon) won the decisive doubles point to claim the win.

The Crusaders won at fourth, fifth, and sixth singles.  Michael Woodson (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft H.S.) posted a straight sets win at the fifth spot over Stephen McLoughlin 6-3, 6-3.  Eric Honert (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley H.S.) came from behind after dropping the first set for a 5-7, 6-3, 10-5 victory over Lenz Theodor at number four.  Kyle Stump (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth H.S.) added a 6-3, 2-6, 10-1 win in a match tie-break against David Dolins at number six singles.

Butler posted wins at the top three spots, all in straight sets.  Brandon Bayliss was a 6-4, 6-3 winner against Jose GasparChris Baum (Sao Paulo, Brazil/CEAD H.S.) at the top while Chris Herron topped (Charlotte, N.C./Providence H.S.) 6-1, 6-4 at number two.  Zach Ervin added a 6-1, 6-2 win against Kevin DeHerrera (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield H.S.) at third singles.

In doubles action, McLoughlin and Herron downed Gaspar and Honert 8-3 at the top of the lineup while Bayliss and Theodor defeated Baum and Adam Whitmer (Shipshewana, Ind./Westview H.S.) 8-0 at the second spot.  DeHerrera and Stump fell at third doubles 8-6 against Ervin and Ben Shafer.

Valparaiso (9-12, 0-6) will close out the 2011 regular season on Sunday afternoon against Wright State. First serve is set for 1 p.m. CDT in Dayton, Ohio.