Abbes breaks GCAC record; Soifer wins 2nd in a row

Nikita Soifer

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Nour Abbes broke a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's tennis record Tuesday when she was named Player of the Week for the eighth time in her career.

The GCAC Player of the Week in men's tennis is Xavier's Nikita Soifer, who earned the honor for the second consecutive week.

The awards cover Feb. 9-15.

Abbes, a senior from Tunis, Tunisia, and a graduate of Lycée Sportif d'El Menzah, broke the conference record she shared with former teammate Kourtney Howell. Abbes defeated William Carey's No. 1 singles player, Audrey Leitz, 6-2, 6-1 in a 6-3 dual-match home victory Saturday. Three days earlier, Abbes led 6-3, 5-1 on the road against NCAA Division I Louisiana-Lafayette's top singles player, Nelo Phiri, when the dual ended.

Abbes is 34-1 her XU singles career. The GCAC award is her second of the season.

Nour Abbes

Soifer, a senior from Beer Sheva, Israel, and a graduate of Hof Hasharon, won the GCAC award for the fifth time in his career. He remained unbeaten in the spring semester, earning doubles and singles victories at home Saturday against then-NAIA No. 22 William Carey. He teamed with Kyle Montrel for an 8-4 victory against Nick Georgian-Andreas Brune, then Soifer beat Lukas Moritzen 6-2, 6-1.

The Gold Rush won the dual 7-2.

Xavier's women will visit the University of New Orleans at 3 p.m. Saturday, then travel to Mobile, Ala., for a neutral-site dual at 2 p.m. Monday against NAIA No. 7 Brenau. XU's men and women will play Alcorn State at 2 p.m. Tuesday at XU Tennis Center. UNO and Alcorn State are NCAA DI members.

Xavier's women are ranked third in the NAIA, and the men are eighth.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director  
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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