XU will play host to USTA/ITA South Regional next week

Alan Green, right, led XU's women to an NAIA No. 3 final ranking last season.

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's men's and women's tennis teams will open their fall schedule Thursday in the HBCU National Championships at Jonesboro, Ga. — then play host next week to the USTA/ITA NAIA South Regional Championships.
      
The HBCU National Championships, a three-day event which will conclude Saturday, will be played at Clayton County Tennis Center, the same venue where the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets won NAIA unaffiliated group tournaments in April to qualify for the NAIA National Championship.
      
The NAIA South Regional will be played Sept. 27-29 at the XU Tennis Center, which opened 11 months ago, and City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center. It will be the second time in four seasons and the first time since 2010 that Xavier is the host of this event.
      
The majority of the 2013-14 tennis schedules will consist of dual matches in the spring semester. Those will be announced later.
     
Both XU teams had their best seasons ever in 2012-13. The Gold Nuggets finished 19-8 and were the first XU team in any sport to reach No. 1 in an NAIA coaches poll or reach the semifinals of an NAIA National Championship. They ranked third in the postseason. The XU men (15-8) reached their highest-ever NAIA ranking, fifth, on three occasions, including the postseason poll. The Gold Rush became the first XU program to reach the national quarterfinals in consecutive years.

2013-14 Xavier University of Louisiana Men's and Women's Tennis Schedule

Sept. 19-21 (Thu.-Sat.) — HBCU National Championships at Clayton County Tennis Center, Jonesboro, Ga
Sept. 27-29 (Fri.-Sun.) — USTA/ITA NAIA South Regional Championships at XU Tennis Center and City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center, New Orleans
     
Dual matches in spring semester, to be announced.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS