FLORENCE, S.C. – Greg Almeida's three-set victory at No. 4 singles lifted Bethune-Cookman over Norfolk State 4-3 Monday morning, concluding a 3-0 weekend in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.

With the match notched at 3-3, Almeida, a sophomore from San Paulo, Brazil, posted a 6-1,3-6,6-3 victory over Norfolk State senior Daniel Grauel that gave the Wildcats (10-8, 3-0) their fourth consecutive victory and sixth in the last seventh.

It was the second time in five matches B-CU took the final match on court for the one-point win. Last week, Alvarro Barrera lifted the Wildcats to a 4-3 win over Bucknell.

“Of course, it came down to Greg,” said B-CU Head Coach Tim Pleasant.” Our goal prior to conference for both teams was build toughness. I knew we were good  and talented and every position. But talent does not always win, but if you can complement talent with toughness, you got something real and that is a winning team.”

B-CU recovered from dropping the doubles point. The Wildcats were 0-7 in matches they lost in doubles points before Monday.

“I told them they know better than anyone that it is not over when dropping the doubles point,” Pleasant said. “The better team not always wins the doubles point, but I am sure the tougher team always wins.”

Walid Gtari, Kevin Deligny and Diego Garavito registered the first three Wildcats singles victories.

The weekend sweep gives the Wildcats the early lead in the MEAC's Southern Division and marks the first time since the conference went to division format any B-CU team has won more than one conference regular season match.

B-CU returns to action Wednesday, hosting UConn at 1:30 p.m.