Butts falls in national singles semis

CMS' Skyler Butts (Sr. Capt - Santa, Ana, CA) twice came within two points of advancing to the championship match of the USTA / ITA National Small College singles, but ultimately succumbed in three tough sets to Emory's Rafe Mosetick on Friday.

Butts and Mosetick traded blows for more than two and half hours before Mosetick prevailed with a 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 win. The Stags' captain served for the match at 7-5, 5-3, thirty-all, and then came within two points of finishing again on Mosetick's serve, at 4-5, thirty-all. The loss was Butts' first this season, and the first sets he has dropped this fall. Butts was looking to become the Stags' first Division III singles champion in the event snce Mike Starr won the title as a freshman in 2006.

Butts will play off for third place at 8:30 AM EST Saturday against Gustavus Adolphus' Mohanad Al Houni.