DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Head Coach Val Villucci allowed herself a smile when asked about starting a freshman at No. 1 on opening day was an issue.

What issue? Michelle Ncube won both her singles match and her doubles match with Rehaaana Butt in Bethune-Cookman's 6-1 loss at Embry-Riddle Tuesday.

Ncube downed Itxaso Blanco 6-4,7-5 after combining with Butt on a 6-2 win over Blanco and Sabrina Ehrenfort.

Villucci had no reservations with going with Ncube after the Zimbabwe product's impressive fall season.

"Michelle handled playing No. 1 like it was no issue at all," Villucci said. "We figured that from the way she played in the fall."

The rest of the day? A learning experience.

"We know we need to get better," Villucci said. "We have a lot of work ahead of us. In doubles, we need better combinations and if that doesn't work, we need to change the strategy.  We do have a good attitude and we'll keep going in the right direction."

Villucci could enjoy having a No. 6 singles and a No. 3 doubles on the court after playing the 2018 season shorthanded, but even that proved a point Tuesday.

"We're going to have to remember we can't rely on our teammates and can't relax," Villucci said. "That team last year always had a sense of urgency and never took anything for granted."

The Lady Wildcats return to action Feb. 1 at home against Stetson.