MADISON, Miss. – Bethune-Cookman Women's Tennis captured its first win of the 2024 spring season on Sunday morning, as the Wildcats defeated Mississippi Valley State 4-0 at FitNetwork USA – Cypress Lake Facility. The match was played as part of the second Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) pod event of the year hosted by Jackson State.
 
Under the direction of second-year head coach Chris Wollett, Bethune-Cookman had been improving steadily the last few weeks, with the Wildcats registering set victories in numbers one through four singles, respectfully.
 
"It's always good to get the first win of the season," said Wollett.
 
Bethune-Cookman (1-14, 1-6 SWAC) picked up the doubles point – the first of its kind all season, recording the first win at No. 3 by default. The Wildcats' team of Jalayah Shaw and Allexii Bassette then defeated Mississippi Valley State's Emani Burnett and Brooke Edyvane at No. 2 doubles, 6-0.
 
The Wildcats swept the doubles point at No. 1 as Janet Imbo Nloga and Tuhina Sambhus took down MVSU's pair of Jacqueline Leflore and Naterra Young, 6-1.
 
In singles play, MVSU (0-6, 0-4 SWAC) was forced to move everyone up a spot due to injury at the No. 6 position prior to the beginning of the match.
 
The first singles point came via BCU's default win at No. 6 through Courdeja Clark.
 
The match became 3-0 in favor of the Maroon and Gold on court three when freshman Tuhina Sambhus posted a 6-0, 6-0 win from the Delta Devilettes' Naterra Young.
 
The Cats wrapped up the win at No. 2 singles, using the 6-0, 6-0 win by freshman Jalayah Shaw against MVSU's Toni Carter.
 
For the Wildcats, Keona Burley was leading 6-0, 5-0 before her match was stopped. As well as Janet Imbo Nloga holding a 6-1, 3-0 advantage on court one. And it was Allexii Bassette – a day removed from illness, leading her match on court four with scores of 6-0, 2-0, respectively.
 
Bethune-Cookman will finish the SWAC pod Monday when facing off against Grambling State at 3 p.m. The match will also take place at FitNetwork USA – Cypress Lake Facility in Madison, Mississippi.
 
"With having another SWAC opponent tomorrow, I hope this win will give us some confidence going into our match with Grambling."
 
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COMPLETE RESULTS
Singles Competition
1. Janet Imbo Nloga (BCU) vs. Jacqueline Leflore (MVSU) 6-1, 3-0, unfinished
2. Jalayah Shaw (BCU) def. Toni Carter (MVSU) 6-0, 6-0
3. Tuhina Sambhus (BCU) def. Naterra Young (MVSU) 6-0, 6-0
4. Allexii Bassette (BCU) vs. Emani Burnett (MVSU) 6-0, 2-0, unfinished
5. Keona Burley (BCU) vs. Brooke Edyvane (MVSU) 6-0, 5-0, unfinished
6. Courdeja Clark (BCU) def. No player (MVSU), by default
 
Doubles Competition
1. Janet Imbo Nloga/Tuhina Sambhus (BCU) def. Jacqueline Leflore/Naterra Young (MVSU) 6-1
2. Jalayah Shaw/Allexii Bassette (BCU) def. Emani Burnett/Brooke Edyvane (MVSU) 6-0
3. Keona Burley/Courdeja Clark (BCU) def. No player/No player (MVSU), by default