Sunday, September 21, 2014

Xavier's Abbes, Albrecht, Bruins win titles at HBCU tourney

NOUR ABBES
XU CAREER SINGLES RECORD: 21-0

JONESBORO, Georgia  -- Xavier University of Louisiana's sixth-seeded Nour Abbes defeated Southern's third-seeded Darnesha Moore 6-4, 6-0 Saturday to win the women's A-flight singles title of the HBCU Tennis National Championships.

Abbes was one of three Xavier sophomores to win a title. Adam Albrecht beat Prairie View A&M's James Jackson 8-1 in the men's C-flight consolation final, and Sha'Nel Bruins defeated Prairie View's Stacy Lackey 8-6 for the women's C-flight consolation title.

Abbes' championship is the first by an XU woman in the main draw of this tournament. She won four singles matches in three days, with the final three victories against NCAA Division I opponents. Xavier competes in the NAIA.

Abbes is 21-0 in singles during her XU career.

Abbes and Carmen Nelson lost 6-3, 7-5 to Bethune-Cookman's Maria Sablina and Mina Matsuba in the women's doubles A-flight semifinal.

Albrecht advanced to his final with an 8-1 victory against Prairie View's Malik Morris, and Bruins beat Alcorn State's Ann Kazarina 8-4 in her semifinal.

"Once again, Nour showed what an outstanding player she is," XU coach Alan Green said. "She survived several service breaks in the first set of the final, regained her focus and cruised to victory in the second. She had a great tournament, beating three of the top four seeds.

"Consolation titles always are won by the hungriest players who rebound from early losses in the main draw. Adam and Sha'Nel both worked hard and played very well the final two days to earn their hardware."

Xavier has won 11 HBCU titles all-time. Abbes' and Bruins' titles were the first for the Gold Nuggets since 2008.

It was the first of three fall-semester tournaments for the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets. Xavier will play host to the USTA / ITA NAIA South Regional Championships beginning Friday at XU Tennis Center and City Park.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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