HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — Xavier University of Louisiana produced more road victories against ranked NAIA tennis teams when the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets both won 5-4 Friday against William Carey.For the XULA women (5-7), it's their fourth road victory in the last 19 days against a ranked opponent — their second against a top-10 team. William Carey (4-1) is No. 6, and the Gold Nuggets are No. 10.
The XULA men (6-6), ranked second, reached .500 for the first time this season by beating the 12th-ranked Crusaders (4-2). It was the Gold Rush's fifth consecutive dual-match victory and second in a row on the road against a ranked team.
Catalin Fifea, a senior and an NAIA All-American last season, clinched for the Gold Rush on the first singles court with his 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory against Vladyslav Ladygin. Freshman Angela Charles-Alfred clinched for the Gold Nuggets at No. 3 with her 6-3, 6-0 victory against Maria Andreeva.
The Nuggets dominated at the top two singles positions, with Mariia Borodii defeating Alena Saettler 6-1, 6-0 and Charlene Goreau beating Nataliia Baliaeva 6-0, 6-1.
The Gold Rush trailed 2-1 after doubles, then got singles victories from Shaikh Abdullah, Chris Anders and Pierre Andrieu to take a 4-3 lead.
The XULA men have 16 consecutive dual-match victories against ranked NAIA teams not named Georgia Gwinnett. That streak began in 2016.
The Gold Nuggets will travel to Phoenix, Ariz., to play five times in four days, beginning with a 4 p.m. MST Thursday dual against NAIA No. 13 Arizona Christian, a first-time opponent. The Gold Rush will have more than two weeks off before playing 25th-ranked SCAD Atlanta March 18 at XULA Tennis Center.
Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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