DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Women's Tennis played its official 2025 home opener Saturday morning with the Wildcats falling 6-0 to visiting College of Charleston at Derbyshire Park in Daytona Beach, Florida. The No. 6 singles position was abandoned by both programs from the start of the match.
 
Bethune-Cookman (1-4) continues to struggle with injuries, thus forcing Head Coach Chris Wollett to once again adjust his lineup.
 
College of Charleston (3-3) took the No. 3 doubles position early with B-CU forfeiting the position. The Cougars then used the team of Mckenzie Daniel and Isabella De Luise to defeat Bethune-Cookman's No. 2 doubles tandem of Zahara El-Zein and Keona Burley, 6-1. CofC took the top flight doubles in 6-3 fashion.
 
"We're dealing with some injuries right now which makes things even more difficult, but that's college tennis," expressed Wollett after the match. "So, tomorrow we'll get back out there and battle again."
 
The Cougars took a 1-0 lead into singles competition.
 
At the No. 3 position, CofC's Oziera Ahmad turned away Bethune-Cookman's Allexii Bassette after the Wildcats senior was forced to retire in the opening set as she trailed 5-0.
 
Helena Huff claimed a straight-set 6-0, 6-0 win from B-CU's Lesa Snipes-Williams on court five, putting the Cougars up 3-0 on the day.
 
The match was sealed with an Isabella De Luise win over Keona Burley at the No. 4 position – 6-0, 3-0 as Burley, a senior from Pompano Beach, Florida, retied with yet another Maroon and Gold injury.
 
Sia Cariov topped B-CU freshman Zahara El-Zein in the No. 2 spot on scores of 6-1, 6-1.
 
And in the No. 1 singles match between B-CU's Jalayah Shaw and College of Charleston's Francesca Salvato, it would be the Cougars grabbing the sweep courtesy of Salvato's 6-4, 6-2 victory.
 
"Although we lost the overall match today, I was very happy with the team's positive energy and gith, both in doubles and singles," added Wollett
 
The Wildcats return to Derbyshire Park on Sunday, March 2, in the second of back-to-back days of home tennis when they welcome St. John's to Daytona Beach at 11 a.m.
 
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Singles Competition
1. Francesca Salvato (COFC) def. Jalayah Shaw (BCU) 6-4, 6-2
2. Sia Cariov (COFC) def. Zahara El-Zein (BCU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Oziera Ahmad (COFC) def. Allexii Bassette (BCU) 5-0, retired
4. Isabella De Luise (COFC) def. Keona Burley (BCU) 6-0, 3-0, retired
5. Helena Huff (COFC) def. Lesa Snipes-Williams (BCU) 6-0, 6-0
 
Doubles Competition
1. Sia Cariov/Francesca Salvato (COFC) def. Allexii Bassette/Jalayah Shaw (BCU) 6-3
2. Mckenzie Daniel/Isabella De Luise (COFC) def. Zahara El-Zein/Keona Burley (BCU) 6-1
3. Oziera Ahmad/Helena Huff (COFC) def. No player/No player (BCU), by default