Bulldogs struggle in Louisville

Butler men’s tennis did not fare well in its last match of the fall season at the Louisville Winter Invitational last weekend.

Junior Chris Herron dropped his first-round singles match on Friday to Louisville’s Arren Carter, 7-5, 6-1, while the team of senior David Dolins and freshman Brad DiCarlo fell 8-0 to Louisville junior Adam Donaldson and Carter in the first round of doubles.

“This weekend didn’t leave a very good taste in our mouths,” Butler head coach Jason Suscha said. “We will have to work hard to come back with some resolve.”

The Bulldogs faced an array of opponents at University of Louisville’s Bass-Rudd Tennis Center, including Chicago State, Drake, Kentucky, Memphis and Middle Tennessee State.

“We didn’t do a good job of playing with enough intensity, which led to some sloppy play,” Suscha said. “Ninety percent of points that were won were from opponents making errors.”

Despite the disappointing outcome, Suscha said he has recognized the team’s faults and has already created a new plan of attack.

“Our challenge now is that our fall season is over and the next competition these guys will see will be in spring,” he said.

The Bulldogs hope to improve by taking advantage of time off over the next two months.

“I’m really trying to develop a pattern that I can rely on in pressure situations,” DiCarlo said. “[I’m trying to find] a place where I can really just be confident in my game plan at all times.”

DiCarlo, who lost to Louisville freshman Dante Terenzio 6-2, 6-2, on Friday, said he was generally pleased with his performance.

“I went in to the tournament just looking to improve,” he said. “It’s my freshman year, so I’m looking for steady improvement out of my entire season here.”

Despite a disappointing end to the first phase of the season, the young Butler team hopes to build upon their efforts in the spring.

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