DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Mathematical probabilities for Bethune-Cookman not qualifying for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament still lingered prior to Thursday's match with Savannah State.
So the Lady Wildcats did the math.
Bethune-Cookman (7-6 overall, 3-0 MEAC) officially clinched a berth in the MEAC tournament with a 5-2 victory over Savannah State (2-12,0-2) at City Island Tennis Center. It also was B-CU's seventh win in its last eight matches.
The Lady Wildcats are now assured of at least a #3 seed from the South Division for the April 26-28 tournament in Norfolk. They can improve their stature with victories at archrival Florida A&M (2-1 in conference play) next Saturday and April 16 at perennial MEAC power South Carolina State (3-0).
Whatever doubt remained quickly evaporated when the Lady Wildcats' doubles tandems,
Matea Roki,
Rehaana Butt and
Alejandra Vidal dropped a combined five games to quickly give Bethune-Cookman four points.
"They [B-CU players] made it look easier than I thought it would be and that's encouraging," said B-CU Head Coach
Val Villucci, whose team rebounded from a 7-0 loss to Delaware Friday that snapped a six-match winning streak. "We knew Savannah State was an improved team and we were prepared for that. We didn't take anything for granted."
Also not to be taken for granted are the doubles victories and the Roki-Butt-Vidal triumvirate. Thursday's scenario has produced six of B-CU's seven victories this season.
Phatsimo Ruele picked up the slack for Vidal in the March 14 win against North Illinois.
"Doubles is how we get these wins," Villucci said. "We also now we can count on them to handle the pressure. It's a mindset."
Roki, a senior, has now won a combined 16 consecutive regular season conference matches dating back to last season. Vidal, also a senior, is now 16-0 lifetime in conference doubles play as she and
Karen Romero won their MEAC-leading 10
th doubles win. Butt, a freshman, registered her league-best ninth singles decision.
Ruele delivered the day's final point by rallying to win the second set, and then erasing a pair of two-point deficits in the tiebreaker to win at No. 5 singles.
