MONTOMGERY, Ala. -- Xavier University of Louisiana sophomore Nikita Soifer rallied for a 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 decision over Cumberland's Pablo Borrero that clinched XU's 5-4 dual-match victory in the AUM Invitational on Saturday.
Xavier's women defeated Coastal Georgia 8-1.
It was the second consecutive day and the third time this season that the Gold Rush (6-4) and Gold Nuggets (6-5) defeated ranked NAIA opponents on the same day. Both XU teams are ranked 10th; Cumberland (3-1) is 11th, and Coastal Georgia (3-5) is 16th.
The XU men trailed 3-1 and 4-3. Viktor Svoboda tied the dual at 4 with his 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 victory against Sebastian Nava at No. 4 singles, then Soifer -- improving to 4-0 this semester in three-set matches -- beat Borrero at No. 2. It was the second consecutive day that Soifer won after losing the first set.
Svoboda trailed 4-2 in the second set and 3-2 in the third. He saved two match points in the 10th game of the second set, then won the tiebreaker after trailing 5-3.
Soifer closed his match after trailing love-40 on his serve in the final game.
"This was one of the most gut-wrenching, drama-filled matches I've been involved with as a coach," said Xavier's Alan Green. "I still don't know how we won. I do know that I have a group of guys who never quit, even when it seems like they have no chance to win."
Losing for the first time in nine matches this season was Xavier's No. 1 doubles team of Loic Didavi and Kyle Montrel. Antonio Manuel Marcelo and Pedro Rodrigues, ranked 10th by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, won the final four games and beat them 8-6. But Didavi and Montrel both won in singles in straight sets.
The Gold Rush have won three straight and are two victories above .500 for the first time this season.
The Gold Nuggets got singles victories from freshmen Brion Flowers, Simone-Alyse Ewell and Vashni Balleste in their fourth victory this season against a ranked team. Sophomore Amanda Materre improved to 8-0 at No. 3 singles with her 6-4, 6-2 decision against Nicole Faas. Kourtney Howell clinched the dual at No. 1 with a 6-3, 6-0 victory against Elektra Hunter.
"The Nuggets played well," Green said. "We took care of business in singles."
Xavier's men will play second-ranked Auburn Montgomery at 9 a.m. Sunday at Lagoon Park Tennis Center. The Gold Nuggets will play 13th-ranked Campbellsville at 12:30 p.m. at the AUM Tennis Complex.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorXULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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