West is best: XU sophomore receives NAIA national honor

Olivia West

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Olivia West was selected NAIA National Women's Tennis Player of the Week, the NAIA announced Wednesday.

West, a sophomore from Humble, Texas, and a graduate of Atascocita High School, was honored for March 25-31 after going 2-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles during the Gold Nuggets' spring-break trip to Florida. Xavier won all three of its dual matches, including a 6-3 victory against then-NAIA No. 14 Northwood and a 7-2 decision against then-No. 7 Embry-Riddle.

West's 0-6, 6-2, 6-0 victory against Melanie Snowberger clinched the Northwood dual.

During the past four seasons, seven from Xavier have won NAIA National Player/Athlete of the Week awards. West is the second women's tennis player to be honored; teammate Kourtney Howell won in 2012. Zahri Jackson won the women's outdoor track award for March 18-24. West, Howell and Jackson are Houston-area residents.

XU's women and men will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to play William Carey at 3 p.m. Friday, then play Auburn Montgomery at 2 p.m. Saturday at the new XU Tennis Center. In the NAIA coaches polls announced Tuesday, William Carey is second, AUM third and Xavier sixth in the women's rankings, and AUM is first, William Carey sixth and Xavier eighth in the men's.

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS

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