DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- This is how you want to enter Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament play: on a winning note.
 
Both Bethune-Cookman teams did that over Spring Break.
 
The Wildcat men downed South Carolina - Upstate 4-2 on Saturday while the Lady Wildcats edged UNC Wilmington 4-3 the day before. It was an end to a three-match losing streak for the men, now at 4-7 while the women are 2-7, but .500 after an 0-5 start.
 
Next up for both teams: North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central next weekend in Savannah, Ga.
 
"Having a win before MEAC raises our confidence and belief and this is how we want to feel every time we step on the court," said BCU Head Coach Val Villucci. "Both teams have shown the ability to play at a high level but we've lacked the consistency of doing that. Confidence is key to our success."
 
The men got four singles wins after dropping the doubles point against USC-Upstate. Juan Navarro is 5-1 in singles play and 4-3 and doubles play, while senior Jose Plazas is 4-3 in singles and 3-1 in doubles.
 
"We have five players who are very talented," Villucci said about her shorthanded men's team. "Our senior leadership has helped along the way, but we must continue to support and help each other if we want to make the conference tournament."
 
Despite the team struggles, sophomore Rehaana Butt and freshman Michelle Ncube are off to strong start. Butt, the MEAC Rookie Of The Year, is on a three-match singles winning streak and is 5-2. Ncube, playing at No. 1, is 4-3 so far and delivered the deciding point against UNC-Wilmington.
 
"Michelle and Rehaana have been our rocks right now," Villucci said. "We know they always give us our best chance at winning."
 
There's optimism for both teams in league play.
 
"Both the men and women have a good chance for MEAC but it is a matter of rising to the challenge in pressure situations," Villucci said. "These two teams support one another wholeheartedly. They are always attending one another's matches and have helped each other with our close wins."
 
The women will have a home match with Southern on Saturday, March 30. Both teams' home finale will be April 15 against South Carolina State.