Xavier's Taylor is first GCAC Player of the Week for 2012

NEW ORLEANS -- Zach Taylor, who delivered in doubles and singles for Xavier University of Louisiana in a comeback victory against William Carey on Saturday, is the first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week of the men's tennis season.

Taylor, a senior from Monroe, La., and a graduate of St. Frederick High School and Ventura College, teamed with Loic Didavi for an 8-5 No. 1 doubles victory against the Crusaders' Jody Claassen and Thomas Rizk.

Taylor's 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 victory at No. 2 singles against 31st-rated Ricky Keppeler tied the dual at 4. Xavier, ranked ninth in the NAIA, rallied from a 4-1 deficit to beat 13th-ranked William Carey 5-4.

Taylor was 4-0 in singles and 4-0 in doubles in February. He and Didavi were third -- Xavier's highest NAIA position ever -- in the ITA's preseason doubles rankings. Taylor was a three-time GCAC Player of the Week in 2011. Xavier (4-1) will play NAIA No. 10 Shorter at 2 p.m. next Monday at City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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