XU wins 13-of-16 matches on first day of 2013-14 season

JONESBORO, Ga. — Xavier University of Louisiana's tennis teams won a combined 13-of-16 matches Thursday — 8-of-9 by their newcomers — on the first day of the HBCU National Championships.
     
The tournament is the first of two on the XU fall schedule, but first-day jitters were not a problem. Freshmen Tushar Mandlekar, Jordan Harrell, Sha'Nel Bruins and Brandi Nelson began their collegiate careers with singles victories. Mandlekar won twice and upset Florida A&M's third-seeded Courage Okungbowa 6-1, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals of the men's B flight.
     
Transfers Kevin Chaouat and Vincenzo Ciccone also won their XU singles debuts. Chaouat won twice to join Harrell and Mandlekar in the men's B quarterfinals.
      
Harrell, a No. 4 seed, defeated Howard's Myron Davis 6-2, 6-2. In the women's C flight, Bruins defeated Tuskegee's Raynah Favor 6-0, 6-1, and Nelson beat Tennessee State's Attallah Eiland 6-0, 6-0.
      
Returning NAIA All-Americans Kyle Montrel, Nikita Soifer and Kourtney Howell advanced in singles. Howell and Amber Brown won 8-3 in women's A doubles against Stillman's Litia Godinet and Veronika Kalugina, who were 26-2 last season.
     T
he Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets, both ranked among the top five in last season's final NAIA poll, were a combined 7-3 against NCAA Division I opponents.
     
The tournament will continue Friday and conclude Saturday at Clayton County Tennis Center.

Results:  Men    Women

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