Feb. 18, 2004
Sophomores Andy Bartish and Tayo Bailey have been recognized as the men's and women's "Athletes of the Week," for their efforts in leading their respective teams to 2-0 records over the weekend, the Horizon League announced today. Both players went undefeated in the team's matches both Saturday and Sunday.
Bartish went a perfect 4-0 over the weekend, helping the Butler men to a pair of impressive non-league wins. The Cincinnati, Ohio, product started off the weekend by defeating Bradley's Panzic, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 at No. 4 singles and teaming up with James Low to win, 8-1, at No. 2 doubles. The Bulldogs needed both matches, winning a tight 4-3 decision over the Braves. On Sunday, Bartish helped Butler roll past Toledo, 6-1, with his convincing 6-3, 6-0 win at the No. 4 spot and an impressive 8-4 decision at the No. 2 doubles position.
Sophomore Tayo Bailey was dominant over the weekend, as the women's team earned 7-0 wins over a pair of league opponents. Bailey capped off an impressive weekend by not dropping a game to UW-Milwaukee. At the No. 3 singles spot, Bailey blanked the Panthers' Brown, 6-0, 6-0, while teaming with Shaden Dowiatt for an 8-0 win at No. 2 doubles. In Saturday's win over UW-Green Bay, Bailey won 7-5, 6-2 at the No. 3 position and earned an 8-4 win at No. 2 doubles, once again teaming with Dowiatt.
The men's team is now 4-4 in the spring season, having won four matches in a row. Sunday's win over Toledo was coach Jason Suscha's 100th dual match victory at Butler. The women's team has won two straight matches to improve their spring record to 4-3, including 2-0 in league play.
The women's team returns to action this weekend, hosting Toledo Saturday and Bowling Green Sunday. The men's team is off from competition until March 9.