DELAND, Fla. – It wasn't that Rehaana Butt was the "1" in Sunday's 5-1 season opening loss to Stetson, it was how she produced Bethune-Cookman's lone point at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center.

The freshman from Palm Harbor downed Stetson's Danel Ashirova 6-0 6-3 at No. 2 singles in her Lady Wildcat debut, helping the Lady Wildcats both avert a shutout and providing a look into the team's next four  years.

How many freshmen have the gumption to attempt an underhanded spin serve ala Michael Chang at the 1989 French Open in their first collegiate match "just for the fun of it"? Butt learned the trick from her grandfather and it worked to perfection, registering an ace as she held a 4-3 second set lead.

Butt's passing shots were just as difficult to stop as she stormed to a convincing first set victory.

"I was playing the stuff I knew," Butt said. "I was confident because I was truly healthy and clear."

This was also a triumph for Butt's determination after overcoming a myriad of knee surgeries.

"I had my parents, my teammates, my coach supporting me," Butt said. "It's exhilarating to have this win under and hopefully there will be many more."

B-CU Head Coach Val Villucci has an idea of what  Butt can do.

"I could see so much potential," the second-year coach said. "I made the determination   there's no way she's quitting after what's she's overcome. She's athletic,  finishes points ,hits the ball hard. She's very difficult to play again."

Stetson (1-0) swept both doubles matches against the short-handed Lady Wildcats and took four of the other five singles contests.

Sunday also saw the debut of senior Matea Roki at No. 1 singles, and Karen Romero and Phatsimo Ruele make competitive showings in their respective sets. Senior captain Alejandra Vidal, ever the grinder, had everyone concerned they'd miss the kickoff of the Jaguars-Patriots game in the final match of the day.

The Lady Wildcats return to action on February 3 in their home opener against the College of Charleston in a double header that starts with the men's team season debut at 10 a.m.