DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – In what was the most tightly contested matchup of the season for Bethune-Cookman Women's Tennis, the Wildcats captured the top three singles positions Tuesday afternoon, but fell just short of collecting the first match win of the campaign in suffering a 4-3 setback to Tennessee State at Derbyshire Park.
 
Tennessee State (1-12) seized control early-on by capturing the doubles point with wins in all three positions, respectfully.
 
The TSU duo of Daniela Koleva and Aroa Castillo were able to fight past BCU's Jalayah Shaw and Allexii Bassette 6-0 on court two. Meanwhile, the team of Jovana Nikolic and Louise Ratiu defeated Bethune-Cookman's partnership of Janet Imbo Nloga and Tuhina Sambhus 6-3 at the No. 1 position to clinch the pivotal opening point.
 
The Tigers' third doubles pair of Natalie Walsh and Taylor Ellis tacked on another 6-1 win over Keona Burley and Courdeja Clark to close out doubles play.
 
With the visitors up 1-0 heading into singles, Tennessee State clinched its first victory of the season with three wins on courts No. 6, No. 4 and No. 5, respectfully.
 
Francisca Gomez-Weiss defeated BCU's Allexii Bassette 6-1, 3-2 after the junior from Miami was forced to retire midway through the second set. The Tigers' Claudia Murdasanu added to the lead with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Keona Burley at the No. 5 singles line.
 
Finally, on court six, it would TSU's Taylor Ellis stepping past Bethune-Cookman's Courdeja Clark in straight sets 6-0, 6-1.
 
"Although it's a very close 4-3 loss, there's so many positive things we can take from this match," remarked Head Coach Chris Wollett afterwards. "We started out slow in doubles and just couldn't get any momentum going."
 
Bethune-Cookman (0-12) would then rally in order to gather all three positions at the top of the lineup.
 
Jalayah Shaw, a freshman from Plant City, Florida, earned her first collegiate singles win courtesy a 6-7(3), 6-3, 10-8 line over TSU's Daniela Koleva at No. 2 singles. Over on court one, Janet Imbo Nloga recorded her first win of the year with a hard-fought 706(1), 6-3 straight-set win from the Tigers' Perri Howard.
 
And it would be freshman Tuhina Sambhus registering her first collegiate singles victory on the day as well with the New Zealand native wrapping up a 7-5, 6-3 win over Tennessee State's No. 3 player Aroa Arrieta Castillo.
 
Bethune-Cookman next faces Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opponent Southern University on Thursday, March 7, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Wildcats then travel to the second SWAC pod of the season running March 8-10 hosted by Jackson State in Jackson, Mississippi.
 
"Courts No. 1, No.2 and No. 3 performed great today," continued Wollett. "I'm very proud of Janet [Imbo Nloga], Jalayah [Shaw] and Tuhina [Sambhus] for their singles wins. I hope these victories will boost the team's confidence going into the second SWAC pod this weekend in Mississippi."
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Tennis on Twitter (@CatsTennis) and Instagram (@BCUTennis) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUathletics.com.
 
COMPLETE RESULTS
Singles Competition
1. Janet Imbo Nloga (BCU) def. Perri Howard (TNSU) 7-6 (7-1), 6-3
2. Jalayah Shaw (BCU) def. Daniela Koleva (TNSU) 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 10-8
3. Tuhina Sambhus (BCU) def. Aroa Castillo (TNSU) 7-5, 6-3
4. Fran. Gomez-Weiss (TNSU) def. Allexii Bassette (BCU) 6-1, 3-2, retired
5. Claudia Murdasanu (TNSU) def. Keona Burley (BCU) 6-1, 6-3
6. Taylor Ellis (TNSU) def. Courdeja Clark (BCU) 6-0, 6-1
 
Doubles Competition
1. Jovana Nikolic/Louise Ratiu (TNSU) def. Janet Imbo Nloga/Tuhina Sambhus (BCU) 6-3
2. Daniela Koleva/Aroa Castillo (TNSU) def. Jalayah Shaw/Allexii Bassette (BCU) 6-0
3. Natalie Walsh/Taylor Ellis (TNSU) def. Keona Burley/Courdeja Clark (BCU) 6-1