DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – With temperatures hovering in the high 40s Sunday morning, Bethune-Cookman Women's Tennis dropped a 7-0 spring season opening decision to Georgia Southern at Derbyshire Park.
 
Georgia Southern (2-0) took both doubles positions, in addition to a no contest/default victory at the No. 3 position.
 
Bethune-Cookman (0-1) used the duo of Jalayah Shaw and Allexii Bassette at the top spot, with the pair dropping their first decision of the spring in a tightly contested 6-2 manner. The doubles point was sealed with a win at the No. 2 position when the Eagles' team of Sophie Wagemaker and Mackenzie Leopold grabbed a 6-0 win from BCU's duo of Janet Imbo Nloga and Loncey Elie.
 
The Wildcats did not field a team at the No. 3 spot, allowing GSU's Paula Hijos and Nanaka Kijima the default victory.
 
"I'm proud of the team four our first match of the spring season," said second-year head coach Chris Wollett afterwards. "We had extremely tough weather conditions against a very good opponent."
 
In singles play, the No. 6 position was vacated early-on by BCU with a default win for GSU's Kijima, allowing the Eagles a 2-0 advantage in the match right from the start.
 
Grad student Courdeja Clark played for the Maroon and Gold at the No. 5 position, falling to Leopold in straight sets. BCU used Loncey Elie at the No. 4 position before she fell to GSU's Sonja Keranen in straight sets, respectfully.
 
The match point was wrapped up for the Eagles with a 6-3, 6-2 hard-fought match by BCU's Bassette – a sophomore from Miami, in suffering a loss to Wagemaker at No. 3 singles.
 
"I felt everyone embraced the challenge of today, and even after the match was decided, the remaining courts were still fighting hard," continued Wollett.
 
Janet Imbo Nloga took two games in the opening set from Georgia Southern's Hijos at No. 2 singles. The Irvine, California freshman eventually dropped the match courtesy a 6-2, 6-0 line score.
 
In top spot singles play, Jalayah Shaw proved to be a tough out for the Eagles' Silvia Martinez in a 6-1, 6-1 setback for the Wildcats No. 1 player.
 
It would be the final match resulting to be one of the most entertaining of the morning with Wagemaker fighting off BCU's Bassette on a 6-3, 6-2 line at No. 3 singles.
 
Bethune-Cookman returns to Derbyshire Park to face fellow Volusia County foe Stetson on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m.
 
"Right now, our team needs matches, and I'm excited for Stetson next week," stated Wollett.
 
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COMPLETE RESULTS
Singles Competition
1. Silvia Martinez (GSUW) def. Jalayah Shaw (BCUW) 6-1, 6-1
2. Paula Hijos (GSUW) def. Janet Imbo Nloga (BCUW) 6-2, 6-0
3. Sophie Wagemaker (GSUW) def. Allexii Bassette (BCUW) 6-3, 6-2
4. Sonja Keranen (GSUW) def. Loncey Elie (BCUW) 6-0, 6-0
5. Mackenzie Leopold (GSUW) def. Courdeja Clark (BCUW) 6-0, 6-0
6. Nanaka Kijima (GSUW) def. No player (BCUW), by default
 
Doubles Competition
1. Silvia Martinez/Sonja Keranen (GSUW) def. Jalayah Shaw/Allexii Bassette (BCUW) 6-2
2. Sophie Wagemaker/Mackenzie Leopold (GSUW) def. Janet Imbo Nloga/Loncey Elie (BCUW) 6-0
3. Paula Hijos/Nanaka Kijima (GSUW) vs. No player/No player (BCUW) no result