NEW ORLEANS — For the fourth consecutive year, Xavier University of Louisiana has produced Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athletes on its women's and men's teams. Earning that honor for 2017-18 were Yi Chen Pao of the Gold Nuggets and Samir Chikhaoui and Gabriel Niculescu of the Gold Rush. The ITA announced the awards Tuesday.ITA Scholar-Athletes must be varsity letterwinners and have a 3.50 GPA for the most recent academic year.
Pao, from Taichung City, Taiwan, was an XULA sophomore this past season. Chikhaoui was a sophomore from Lille, France, and in his first year at XULA after transferring from two-year Eastern Florida State College. Niculescu was a junior from Bucharest, Romania, and in his first XULA season after transferring from NCAA Division I Troy.
Niculescu was an ITA Scholar-Athlete in 2015-16 while at DI Chicago State.
"I am proud of what Yi Chen, Samir and Gabe have accomplished this year on and off the court," said Director of Tennis Alan Green, who coaches XULA's women's and men's teams. "They have put in the work to earn positions on the team, and it's incredible for them to maintain high grades at a school like Xavier. I can't speak highly enough of what an accomplishment this is."
During Green's 15 seasons as coach, eight women earned a collective 10 ITA Scholar-Athlete awards, and seven men received the honor a combined eight times.
Both XULA teams reached the semifinals of the NAIA National Championships in May. Both teams were No. 3 in the postseason coaches polls. Pao and Chikhaoui were All-Americans.
Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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