D3 defending champion Emory shuts out Gold Rush

ATLANTA — Xavier University of Louisiana men's tennis was feisty enough last year to win at NCAA Division III power Emory, but not so Saturday.
     
The Eagles won every set — including tiebreakers at each of the top three singles flights — in a 9-0 victory indoors.
     
Emory (2-1) is ranked No. 1 and a defending national champion. The Gold Rush (1-6) are ranked second in the NAIA and was a national runner-up in 2016 and 2017.
     
In the closest of the three doubles matches, Adrien Bouchet and Max Renke defeatedPierre Andrieu and Chris Anders 8-6 at No. 2. Emory clinched the dual when Jonathan Jemison, the ITA's fourth-ranked D3 player, defeated Catalin Fifea 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) at No. 1 singles. Alec Josepher beat Shaikh Abdullah 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 at No. 2, and Bouchet defeated Samir Chikhaoui 6-1, 7-6 (7-4).
     
A year ago XULA won 4-of-5 tiebreakers against Emory, and Pierre Andrieu clinched in a 5-4 victory. This time Andrieu lost 6-3, 6-2 to freshman Hayden Cassone.
     
"Had many chances," XULA coach Alan Green said. "Just did not capitalize on any of them. Emory had a lot to do with that, though."
     
It was the first time since March 2005 — Green's third season as coach — that the Gold Rush dropped consecutive 9-0 decisions. Friday in the Grizzly Invitational at Lawrenceville, Ga., XULA lost to NAIA No. 1 Georgia Gwinnett by that same score.
     
XULA will return Sunday to the Grizzly Invitational and play NCAA Division II Bluefield State at 9 a.m. EST.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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