XU Nuggets beat No. 11 Westmont 7-2 in California opener

Coach Alan Green chatted with Wayne Bryan,
father of Bob and Mike Bryan, the world's
No. 1 men's doubles team,
before women’s tennis dual at Westmont.

SANTA BARBARA, California -- Xavier University of Louisiana ended its long women's tennis losing streak in the Golden State with a 7-2 victory Friday against Westmont.

The Gold Nuggets (12-8), ranked seventh in the NAIA, had dropped 12 in a row in California since a 5-2 victory against Concordia (Calif.) on Feb. 15, 2008. But they won 2-of-3 doubles matches and 5-of-6 in singles in the opener of their four-dual trip.

Nour Abbes, Carmen Nelson, Brion Flowers and Brandi Nelson won in doubles and singles for Xavier, which earned its second victory of the season against a ranked opponent.

Westmont, No. 11 in the NAIA, is 9-7.

Abbes and Carmen Nelson defeated Alyson Meyer and Haley Strandness, the NAIA's eighth-ranked doubles team in the West, 8-1. Flowers and Brandi Nelson (Carmen's younger sister) beat Grace Davis and Emily Keach 8-2.

Abbes, the NAIA's top-ranked singles player, defeated seventh-ranked Lauren Stratman 6-4, 6-3. Carmen Nelson, a senior in her first three-set match since her sophomore season, defeated Strandness, ranked 40th, 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.

Brandi Nelson defeated Keach 6-3, 6-2. Flowers clinched the dual with her 6-3, 7-5 victory against Meyer.

The Nuggets' other point came from Simone-Alyse Ewell, who beat Davis 6-2, 6-3 in her second singles victory of the season.

The XU women will be idle Saturday while the sixth-ranked Gold Rush visit eighth-ranked Westmont at 2:30 p.m. PDT. Both XU teams will play Northwestern Ohio -- whose men are No. 10 and whose women are No. 24 -- at noon PDT Sunday in Whittier, Calif. UNOH's women upset No. 15 Vanguard 5-4 Friday.

Women's Tennis Results 
Xavier 7, Westmont 2 

Friday, March 27, 2015 
Abbott Tennis Courts, Santa Barbara, Calif. 

Doubles 
No. 1 — Lauren Stratman-Ines Costamagna (WC) d. Caroline Vernet - Simone-Alyse Ewell (XU) 8-1. 
No. 2 — Nour Abbes-Carmen Nelson (XU) d. Alyson Meyer-Haley Strandness (WC) 8-1. 
No. 3 — Brandi Nelson-Brion Flowers (XU) d. Grace Davis-Emily Keach (WC) 8-2. 

Singles 
No. 1 — Nour Abbes (XU) d. Lauren Stratman (WC) 6-4, 6-3. 
No. 2 — Ines Costamagna (WC) d. Caroline Vernet (XU) 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 1-0 (10-6). 
No. 3 — Carmen Nelson (XU) d. Haley Strandness (WC) 6-1, 4-6, 7-5. 
No. 4 — Simone-Alyse Ewell (XU) d. Grace Davis (WC) 6-2, 6-3. 
No. 5 — Brion Flowers (XU) d. Alyson Meyer (WC) 6-3, 7-5. 
No. 6 — Brandi Nelson (XU) d. Emily Keach (WC) 6-3, 6-2. 

Order of Finish: Doubles — 1, 2, 3. Singles — 6, 1, 5, 4, 3, 2. 
Records: Xavier 12-8, Westmont 9-7. 

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/

Tennessee State Tiger Camp Update: DL

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State football team conducted its third spring practice of the week, Friday, in preparation of Saturday morning’s scrimmage.

The defensive line was one of the squad’s top units, ranking first in the conference in tackles for loss. The stellar play led to seniors Anthony Bass and Samquan Evans earning All-OVC Honors.

There are many new faces in the fold, and while the depth may be thin before freshman report in the fall, it is not short on talent.

This season, the group will welcome two new starters, but the line will include break-out stars Dinsdale Jackson, Roc-M Nesbitt and Gabe Terry.

The entire TSU D will look to shut down the team’s offense in tomorrow’s 9 a.m. scrimmage.



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M Rattlers Looking To Lovejoy To Lead Defensive Line

HEAD COACH ALEX WOOD
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- The Rattler football team went through morning practice under the lights of Bragg Stadium. The spirited practice was marked with rainfall about 20 minutes into practice, but as it cleared, apparently the team’s focus did as well. “We had better execution today for sure. For whatever reason the enthusiasm was good. I think the players are learning what to do and gaining more confidence, and I think that contributed to this morning,” head coach Alex Wood said.

One position that Wood has mentioned will be critical to the success of the FAMU defense is the defensive front. Changing philosophies from last year’s 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense will change players’ assignments. Central to that change is Michael Lovejoy. Lovejoy, a 6’4” 300 lb., senior defensive lineman from Pensacola, Fla., will be relied heavily upon to control the line of scrimmage.

“I’m looking forward to everyone learning the new defense and assignments and it all falling together. I think the coaches have come in with a good mindset to improve from last year. We have confidence that if we follow their lead, things will be better,” Lovejoy said.

In full team scrimmage, Lovejoy broke through the line and nailed a running back, drawing a roar from the team. That’s about as much noise as Lovejoy would make, as he is not a vocal leader, but one who leads by his actions.

“Mike has been a good leader for us, as he leads by example more than anything. He’s a solid player…a dominant player for us in the middle. With our change in defense he has a little less responsibility, as he won’t be responsible for two gaps anymore. Now he’s a single gap player getting help from the linebacker and the extra down lineman we’ve put at the line of scrimmage. I think this defense will fit him well and he has experience playing outside as well,” Wood said.

Last season, Lovejoy had 40 total tackles, with 22 of them being solos. He had seven tackles for loss, accumulating 28 yards for loss. He also had three and a half sacks for a total of 23 yards for loss. He also broke up one pass and defended another. With streamlined responsibility of the 4-3 defense, Lovejoy is poised to have a breakthrough season. Coupled with his physique, Lovejoy could be poised to make it to the next level with a solid 2015 football season.

Wood sees Lovejoy as a model student athlete. “He’s solid in everything he does. He’s a great guy in the classroom, he’s a great guy in the community and he also leads by his work ethic on the field,” Wood said.

The Rattlers will hold their second scrimmage, tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Bragg Stadium. Wood, has solicited the help of some referees to give the team a more accurate look at where they really are. “We’re going to get the referees involved to make sure we’re fundamentally sound in our alignments and we’ll implement some special teams to see how we transition on and off the field in situational football,” Wood said.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Former FAMU QB Austin Trainor earns invite to NFL Raiders rookie minicamp

QB AUSTIN TRAINER
Courtesy: FAMU Athletics

CARROLLTON, Georgia  -- Earlier this week, Central Florida wide receiver Brashad Perriman made some headlines with his 4.25 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. He is projected as a mid-first to second round pick in the upcoming draft and needed to make his pro day count. Wide receiver's can't run drills alone. Someone has to throw them the ball. In this case it was former West Georgia quarterback, Austin Trainor.

Scouts may have been there to see Perriman, but Trainor opened some eyes as well. Among them was the Raiders, who according to the National Football Post, have invited Trainor to attend their rookie minicamp in May.

Trainor went underaft last year, which is why he can accept the invitation now. The invitation is a tryout for the team who will be looking for a camp arm behind Derek Carr, Matt McGloin and Christian Ponder. McGloin himself went undrafted and had to try out for NFL teams. He earned a spot on the Raiders ahead of drafted fourth round QB Tyler Wilson. So, anything is possible for Trainor.

The 6-3, 231-pounder played his first two seasons of college ball at Florida A&M and later transferred to West Georgia.

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VSU Multipurpose Center Walkthru Animation

PETERSBURG, Virginia -- Virginia State University Multipurpose Center  -- Presently under construction, the 167,000 gross sq. ft. event facility will have approximately 5,200 fixed seats and accommodate nearly 6,200 for events. The facility will be the home of Trojan basketball and volleyball, and will include food and retail services, media spaces, classrooms and faculty offices, a wellness center and conference/meeting spaces. The Center is scheduled for completion winter of 2015. Construction by S.B. Ballard Construction.   Estimated Construction Cost: $85 million.  Check out this link for a slide show preview:

Florida A&M musicians arrive in New York for historic performance at Carnegie Hall

FAMUNAA.ORG
RATTLERS, JOIN US NOW!!

MANHATTAN, New York - The 60-member wind symphony from Florida A&M University (FAMU) arrived to the city on Friday to prepare for their performance at Carnegie Hall on Sunday.

Students and staff flew in from the Sunshine State and are staying in Midtown Manhattan. Their time before the big performance will be spent in music rehearsals, sightseeing and meeting Tri-State area FAMU alumni.

Over $40,000 was raised from donors across the nation to pay for the trip and also for brand new instruments the students will play at the legendary venue.

Musicians will have a dress rehearsal on Saturday before performing on Sunday at Carnegie Hall. Several university officials are in the city for performance including FAMU president Dr. Elmira Magnum.

Making history, the FAMU Wind Symphony will be the first appearance of a classical ensemble from a historically Black college or university (HBCU) at Carnegie Hall.

The symphony’s invitation is part of the Ensemble Spotlight Series. The group will share the stage with the New England Symphonic Ensemble, the featured company for the evening.



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WSSU gets commitment from junior-college star

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Small forward T.J. Wilson has committed to play basketball at Winston-Salem State.

Wilson, who is 6-3 and 205 pounds, played two seasons ago at Caldwell Community College, where he helped it to the Division III Junior College national championship game. During that 2013-14 season Wilson averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds.

“I’m excited about coming to Winston,” Wilson said by telephone on Thursday. “I love their style of play and how they trap all over the court. It’s a similar style that I’m used to, so it’s going to be a nice fit.”

Wilson missed this past season at Caldwell Community College so he could focus on his academics, but says he will graduate from CCC. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining.

Wilson was a member of Gastonia Hunter Huss’ state championship team in his senior high school season in 2010-11. He signed with Lenoir-Rhyne but only stayed there for a semester before going to Caldwell Community College.

He said that Fayetteville State, East Tennessee State and ...

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