DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- This interview is with Val Villucci, the Tournament Director of The Juan Varon Wildcat Invitational.

Val Villucci, the Bethune-Cookman Head Tennis Coach, didn't get to see a lot of action on the opening day of the tournament Friday.

"I did not see a ball hit today," Villucci admitted as daylight still shone over the Florida Tennis Center.

Administrative-wise, Villucci considered the first day of the relaunched tournament a success.

"Everything went smoothly," Villucci said. "No complaints, or none that I've heard of. And from what other coaches have indicated, there was a high level of play."

The highlight for Villucci the Tournament Director was meeting the family of Varon, the tournament namesake, who made the trip from Colombia.

"They were so appreciative, so touched," Villucci said. "They still come to tears and can't thank us enough for this tournament. It means so much to them as it does to us."

Fifteen teams are competing this weekend, including both Wildcat squads. The tournament was reformatted to a round-robin affair to ensure each player gets the maximum amount of playing time on the clay surface.

The hometown highlight was senior Alejandra Vidal and sophomore Phatsimo Ruele winning their respective single matches and combining for a doubles victory. Victor Bravo won a singles match on the men's side.

Vidal, the women's team captain, has been battling injuries during the fall season.

"I've been struggling in the matches, getting tired and sore," Vidal said. "I played well better today."  

Vidal never met Varon, but knows how important this tournament is to the Wildcat tennis program.

"He is a big part of our legacy," Vidal. "We know we need to best our best tennis in his memory.

Day two of the tournament begins at 9 a.m.