Sunday, May 18, 2014

XU's Abbes named NAIA tourney outstanding performer

NOUR ABBES
Marvin P. Richmond Outstanding Player Award
2014 NAIA Women's Tennis National Championship

MOBILE, Alabama -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Nour Abbes received the Marvin P. Richmond Outstanding Player Award at the conclusion of the 2014 NAIA Women's Tennis National Championship on Saturday.

Abbes, a freshman from Tunis, Tunisia, and a graduate of Lycée Sportif d'El Menzah, was 3-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles at the tournament to lead the Gold Nuggets (17-7) to their second consecutive semifinal berth and tie for third place. All three of her singles opponents were ranked in the ITA's top 40; Abbes won a collective 36-of-43 games against them.

It's the first time since 2008 that the Richmond award winner was not a member of the championship team. Abbes is the first XU athlete to win an outstanding-player award at an NAIA national tournament.

The award is named for a former United States Tennis Association president and a longtime supporter of the NAIA.

"Nour finished the season the way she started -- winning and competing at a high level," XU coach Alan Green said. "Even though she was less than 100 percent in the semifinals on Friday because of a stomach bug, she won both her matches and demonstrated again what a special talent she is."

Abbes finished the season 17-0 in singles -- 7-0 against ranked NAIA opponents, 6-0 against players from NCAA Division I --  and 16-2 in doubles. She was 12-0 in doubles with sophomore Simone-Alyse Ewell, her partner during the final nine weeks.

Abbes on Monday was named Wilson/ITA NAIA Women's National and Region IV Rookie of the Year.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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