Nuggets still 2nd in NAIA but tied with Lindsey Wilson

NEW ORLEANS -- Two of the NAIA's premier women's tennis programs, Xavier University of Louisiana and Auburn Montgomery, will put their new national rankings on the line Saturday when they meet at 2 p.m. at XU Tennis Center.

The NAIA announced Tuesday its fifth coaches poll of the season. Xavier is tied for second with Lindsey Wilson, and Auburn Montgomery, the three-time defending champion, is fourth.

The Gold Nuggets (11-5) are in the top 10 for the 12th consecutive time and in the top five for the eight time in the last nine polls. They were second in the previous poll on March 18.

Xavier won 5-4 at then-No. 1 AUM on March 9 on the final day of the AUM Invitational. It was the first time the Gold Nuggets defeated a top-ranked team.

Xavier is 3-1 since the previous poll. The loss was 5-4 at Lindsey Wilson on March 21 in a dual which was not decided until a third-set tiebreaker in the final match on the court.

Xavier is 6-2 this season against ranked NAIA teams and has won eight of its last nine duals overall.

Admission is free to the Xavier-AUM matches. Both schools' men's teams, also ranked in the top 10, will play at the same time.

The next rankings will be announced April 15.

The top 25:

1. Georgia Gwinnett
2. (tie) Xavier
2. (tie) Lindsey Wilson
4. Auburn Montgomery
5. SCAD Savannah
6. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
7. Brenau
8. Northwood (Fla.)
9. Vanguard
10. Oklahoma Baptist
11. Westmont
12. Graceland
13. Concordia (Calif.)
14. Lewis-Clark State
15. Milligan
16. Indiana Wesleyan
17. Coastal Georgia
18. Davenport
19. Campbellsville
20. Cardinal Stritch
21. Marian (Ind.)
22. St. Thomas (Fla.)
23. Olivet Nazarene
24. SCAD Atlanta
25. Northwestern Ohio

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