More GCAC honors for XU's Kyle Montrel, Devinn Rolland

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Kyle Montrel and Devinn Rolland were repeat winners Monday of Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player/Athlete of the Week awards. Montrel won the men's tennis award for the second time this season, and Rolland was the GCAC women's field winner for the third consecutive week and the women's track winner for the second consecutive week.      The awards covered March 11-17.      Montrel, a freshman from Atlanta, a graduate of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy and a former New Orleans resident, won in singles and doubles in the only Gold Rush dual match of the week, a 5-4 victory Friday against NCAA Division I's Alcorn State.

Kyle Montrel

Devinn Rolland

Montrel and Loic Didavi defeated Ernesto Santillan and Ivan Umnikov 8-6, then Montrel beat Garry Amor 6-1, 6-4. Montrel is 9-2 in doubles and 9-2 in singles this season. Against NCAA Division I opponents, Montrel is 3-0 in doubles and 3-0 in singles.

Montrel is the first Gold Rush player to win the award twice this season.

Rolland, a sophomore from Harvey, La., and a graduate of Cabrini High School in New Orleans, exceeded the NAIA's A-qualifying standard in the 200-meter dash by nearly a half-second Friday in the Louisiana Classics meet at Lafayette. She finished in 24.52 seconds and placed second out of 52 runners. It was the first time this season that she competed in the 200.

On Saturday, Rolland scored her first victory of the season, long-jumping 5.69 meters (18 feet, 8 inches) to meet the NAIA's A-standard for the third time in as many outdoor meets this season.

Xavier's men's and women's tennis teams will visit the University of New Orleans for 3 p.m. duals Wednesday. Xavier's women's and men's track teams will compete Friday and Saturday in the LSU Relays at Baton Rouge, La.

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS