DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman gave Val Villucci a successful debut as women's tennis coach with a 5-2 victory over Wofford Thursday afternoon in its season opener at City Island Tennis Center.

Mina Matsuba, Matea Roki and Alejandra Vidal registered both singles and doubles victories for the Wildcats, and sophomore Karen Romero clinched the match with her three-set victory at No. 5 singles.

"The girls wanted to give me a win my first time out," said Villucci. It was a nce gesture on their part and a nice welcoming.

"It was great to have a competitive, closely contested match, It showed me a lot about our resiliency and how we  play under pressure," Villucci added. "I'm pleased with what I saw."

Despite having just five players, Bethune-Cookman stormed out to a 3-1 lead with a commanding doubles performance and quick victories from Matsuba at No. 1 in her first competitive match in eight months and Roki at No. 3.

Both Vidal's No. 4 singles and Romero's No. 5 singles went to the third set. Romero overcame a shaky start and put away Taylor Carlson for the fourth point.  

"Close matches come down to the No. 5 or No. 6 players," Villucci said. "It's important we keep those players mentally tough."

That's exactly how Romero treated the third set: all mental.

"It was all about who wanted it most," Romero said. "My game stayed the same. I fought that third set.I was doubting myself and playing defensively when I first stepped out on the court.  I showed myself that I'm capable of playing well. It's important I remember that."

Vidal, the team captain, continued her season-ending winning streak from last season, needing a 13-11 third set tiebreaker to down Lauren Reid to close the match. The junior has now won 11 straight singles matches.

Villucci's debut as Men's Coach will be Sunday against UCF at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona. The women will also play.