Gold Rush defeat Privateers for third consecutive year



XAVIER UNIVERSITY TENNIS CENTER

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's men won five consecutive matches Thursday to score a 5-4 decision against the University of New Orleans at XU Tennis Center.

The Gold Rush (9-9), ranked 10th in the NAIA, have a season-best three-dual win streak and defeated the Privateers (6-9) for the third consecutive year. It was Xavier's second victory in five days against an NCAA Division I opponent.

Blake Gregor and Luis Albuquerque gave UNO its only lead when they defeated Tushar Mandlekar and Kevin Chaouat 8-5 at No. 2 doubles. But Xavier won the next five matches to clinch the dual.

Viktor Svoboda -- honored in a senior day ceremony before the dual -- and Adam Albrecht beat Gonzala Garcia and Chris Appelgren 8-5. Then Kyle Montrel and Nikita Soifer gave the Gold Rush a 2-1 lead with their 8-5 victory against Timo Kranz and Rui Silva at the top doubles flight.

Mandlekar, winning for the third straight time in singles, made it 3-1 with a 6-4, 6-1 victory against Gregor at No. 4. Montrel defeated Kranz 6-4, 6-1 at No. 1, and Soifer clinched at No. 2 with a 6-2, 6-4 decision against Garcia.

Soifer is 2-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles in two seasons against UNO.

"Good win today," XU coach Alan Green said. "UNO is always tough to play against. But it was different today because we played them on our campus for the first time. Hopefully this will carry us over to next week and the unaffiliated tournament."

The Gold Rush will play Alcorn State at 2 p.m. next Thursday at Xavier to conclude the regular season, then compete the following day in the opening round of the NAIA Unaffiliated Group 2 Tournament in New Orleans.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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