North Carolina A&T Alexander Wins Coaching Honor

COACH CY ALEXANDER

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Cy Alexander added to his legacy when he was named District 15 Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The 2013 NABC Division I All-District coaches were selected by their peers. Alexander earned the honor after completing his first season as A&T’s head men’s basketball coach.

District 15 represents the coaches from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Alexander led the Aggies to the 2013 MEAC title by winning four straight in the conference tournament, including three wins over teams who were seeded higher. Alexander, who just completed his 23^rd season as a collegiate head coach, also led the Aggies to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 18 years. It was an appearance that yielded the Aggies their first-ever NCAA tournament win as they defeated Liberty 73-72 in the first round of the Midwest region on March 19.

The Aggies would lose to eventual Final Four team Louisville two days later, ending the Aggies’ season at 20-17. It was A&T’s first winning season in 15 years and its first 20-win season since 1987-88. In leading the Aggies to the MEAC title, Alexander became the conference’s all-time leader in tournament wins with 31.

“You know, I feel really blessed,” said Alexander, who won 27 MEAC tournament games as the head coach of S.C. State from 1987-2003. “I have to thank my assistant coaches for their hard work, and I have to thank this team for buying into what I was trying to sell when I took over this job last May. I want to particularly thank our seven seniors who are on track to graduate. Hopefully getting (to the NCAA tournament) will enhance our university’s visibility as well as enhance our basketball recruiting.”

Alexander will enter the 2013-2014 season with 370 wins, two returning starters and a key returning reserve in point guard Jeremy Underwood. Only Coppin State’s Ron “Fang” Mitchell has more coaching wins among active MEAC coaches. Alexander is the owner of six MEAC titles, five as the head coach of S.C. State. He only trails Don Corbett for most MEAC titles with one fewer than the legendary former Aggies head coach. Alexander won three MEAC Coach of the Year awards at S.C. State and was named American Sports Wire National Coach of the Year in 1996.

Located in Kansas City, Mo., the NABC was founded in 1927 by Phog Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game.

The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men’s basketball coaches.

2013 NABC DIVISION I ALL-DISTRICT COACHES
District 1: Joe Mihalich, Niagara
District 2: Jim Larranaga, Miami
District 3: Chris Holtmann, Gardner-Webb
District 4: Jim Crews, St. Louis
District 5: John Thompson III, Georgetown
District 6: Michael White, Louisiana Tech
District 7: Tom Crean, Indiana
District 8: Bruce Weber, Kansas State
District 9: Mark Few, Gonzaga
Co-District 10: Matt Brady, James Madison
Co-District 10: Bill Coen, Northeastern
District 11: Donnie Tyndall, Southern Mississippi
District 12: Jim Molinari, Western Illinois
Co-District 13: Tommy Amaker, Harvard
Co-District 13: Dave Paulsen, Bucknell
District 14: Jim Christian, Ohio
District 15: Cy Alexander, North Carolina A&T
Co-District 16: Greg McDermott, Creighton
Co-District 16: Gregg Marshall, Wichita State
District 17: Steve Alford, New Mexico
District 18: Tim O’Shea, Bryant
District 19: Jeff Neubauer, Eastern Kentucky
District 20: Dana Altman, Oregon
District 21: Billy Donovan, Florida
District 22: Bob McKillop, Davidson
District 23: Danny Kaspar, Stephen F. Austin
District 24: Kermit Davis, Middle Tennessee State

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU men’s basketball team signs four

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina --  Coach Bobby Collins of the Winston-Salem State’s men’s basketball team had plenty of scholarships available after losing seven seniors from this past season.

“We had a lot of room, that’s for sure,” Collins said after announcing the signing of four players for next season

The players signed were: Jamison Jeffers, a 5-10 point guard from Burlington; 6-4 forward Jaelan Kennedy of Gastonia; 6-foot guard Sean Deniton (Guilford Tech); and Western Carolina transfer Preston Ross, a 6-4 forward from Fayetteville.

“All of these guys can be impact players,” Collins said. “So, we’re happy with who we have signed so far.”

One player who hasn’t signed is guard Terrell Leach of Southwest Guilford, who committed last month. Leach, a 6-foot guard, averaged 30 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists this past season.

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FOOTBALL: Hill heading to Chowan

MURFREESBORO, North Carolina  --  As a junior, Naquandre Hill learned from fellow defensive linemen Carter Roberts and Calvin Pate.

Once they departed, Hill sprouted into a leader on New Bern’s defensive front.

On Thursday, Hill signed to play college football at Division II Chowan. He was joined by parents Nikki Hill and Irving Glenn, along with New Bern football coach Bobby Curlings.

“When Chowan called and wanted me to come check out the campus, I loved it,” Hill said. “It is small and I can meet everybody. You are not just a number in a class. The teachers and professors know you by name.”



Hill will start his college career as a preferred walk-on, with an opportunity to earn a scholarship later
on.

The 5-foot-10 nose guard will be the first person in his family to play sports in college.

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Lincoln closing in on new football coach

LOWER OXFORD, PA – The 2013 football schedule was released in late March and spring practice concluded late last week -- but Lincoln University still doesn’t have a head coach. That could change very soon, however, perhaps as early as today.

According to athletic director Dianthia Ford-Kee, Lincoln has offered the job to one of three unnamed finalists but is still awaiting a decision.

 

“We made an offer Tuesday and we are giving that person a few days to think about it and get back with us,” said Ford-Kee, who is in Petersburg, Va., attending the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Spring Sports Championships. “We have not gotten a written response back yet. I am hoping we will get a response by (today).”   

 

Last January, Ford-Kee said that the university hoped to have a head coach in place for the start of spring practice in late March. The process has taken much longer, but Ford-Kee said that finding the right candidate superseded any immediate timetable.

 

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WSSU baseball team wins tourney opener

PETERSBURG, Virginia — Winston-Salem State, the two-defending CIAA champion, defeated Chowan 8-3 on Thursday in the first round of the CIAA baseball tournament at Whaley Colbert Field.

The Rams (35-9) will play Virginia State on Friday in a winner’s-bracket game in the double-elimination format.

Coach Kevin Ritsche, who was named coach of the year in the CIAA on Thursday, won his 100th career game. Ritsche is 100-65 in his three seasons with the Rams.

The Rams had 11 hits, led by Rafael Gonzalez, who went 3 for 5. Travis Moore and Paco Martin each had two hits.

Conner Andrus and Levi Grassley each had two RBIs for the Rams, who trailed 1-0 but scored two in the second inning to take the lead for good.

Freshman Jordan Carlton went ...

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Holmes, FAMU football staff staying busy

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  All week long, FAMU football coach Earl Holmes has been holding exit interviews with players.

Just a few doors down from Holmes, offensive coordinator Quinn Gray spends most of his days in a dark office, his eyes glued to a computer screen as he evaluate potential recruits.

Across the hall inside the Galimore Fieldhouse, defensive coordinator Levon Kirkland’s office is just as dark, as he reviews videos of future opponents for the Rattlers.

There is little down time and that won’t change as Holmes and his new staff head into the summer months before the start of fall practice in August.

“There is no such thing as ...

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(Courtesy FAMU Athletics)

Adversity? It's just fuel for NCCU coach LeVelle Moton's inner fire

LeVelle Moton
Head Men's Basketball Cioach
North Carolina Central University
(Photo Courtesy: NCCU Athletics)

 DURHAM, North Carolina  — There is a bicycle in the shed at the home of LeVelle Moton’s mother. It’s from his father, and Moton told the Durham Sports Club on Wednesday that he’s never ridden it.

The bike was a birthday gift, and Moton, 9 or 10 at the time, said he wouldn’t have anything to do with it because it was from his father.

“I never accepted it,” Moton told the gathering at Croasdaile Country Club. “I always felt like if I ever rode that bike it would be me accepting him leaving, and I never did that.”

Years before the bike showed up adorned with a bow and a letter, Moton said his father had come home one day and asked everyone what they wanted from the store.

“He walked out the door, and we never saw him again,” Moton said. “I was abandoned by my father.”

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Claflin’s Track & Field, Softball march toward 2013 SIAC Spring Championships

ATLANTA, Georgia  - The SIAC’s spring sports of track and field as well as softball, will conduct their 2013 Spring Championships this weekend at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, for track and field and Hampton, GA will host the softball championships, April 18-20.

The Lady Panthers softball team prepares to march toward their first SIAC Championship since entering the conference in 2008. The Lady Panthers come into the championship the #2 seed in the East with a record of (27-13, 16-6), behind #1 seed in the East Albany State University (29-23, 22-2). Claflin will look to ride the talents of Markea Sheppard who has led the team in batting with a .533 average, with 65 hits, 47 runs batted in, with 8 home runs. Chelsea Edior second leading batter with a .485 average, 54 hits, and 31 runs batted in and 3 home runs. Amanda Evans was the third leading hitter with a 364 average, with 48 hits, 33 runs batted in, and 4 home runs. Claflin will receive a first round bye and play the Clark Atlanta/Lane winner, Thursday.

Claflin’s softball team has one of the best winning percentages in the conference, and ap

pears to be a strong contender for the 2013 SIAC Softball Championship.

In track and field Coach Christopher Woods will ...

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Hakeem Baxter chooses Maryland Eastern Shore

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  --  Philadelphia Electric and Technology Charter guard Hakeem Baxter has committed to the Unviersity of Maryland Eastern Shore.

The 6-foot-2 guard was one of the top scorers in the Public League, averaging 22.6 points per game in the Public League and 18.8 points per game overall. Baxter was a First Team All-Public League selection.

Even though he waited to decide until mid-April, Baxter was relived to have finally committed, and said the decision to attend UMES was a no-brainer for him.



“There was really no one else in the running. I didn’t have anybody else in mind. Nobody else that was recruiting me had that relationship with me,” Baxter told CoBL over the phone earlier today.

“They’ve been recruiting me all year. I like the coaching staff. I went on an official visit and met the whole administration, coaching staff, everybody at the school, I liked the school, the coaches kept it real with me about everything and what’s going to happen. I liked everything about it.”

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Southern unveils Spring 2013 signees

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- Southern University received several National Letters of Intent from prospective student-athletes who will continue their athletic careers in Baton Rouge.

On the heels of an NCAA Tournament appearance that garnered wide-spread national acclaim, men's basketball signed six student-athletes, including three from Baton Rouge and four from the state of Louisiana.

Among head coach Roman Banks third signing class are Tre'Lun Banks - Roman's son - and Jared Sam of Scotlandville. Banks also signed East St. John's Elex Carter, who chose to play at Southern over Tulane and UNO.

Christopher Thomas, a Glen Oaks produce and Baton Rouge native, joins Rashad Andrews of Jamaica, N.Y. and Da'Monte McFarland of Arlington, Texas to complete men's basketball signees from Wednesday.

Nancy Marshall's softball program also receive an NLI for Amanda Pacheco of Highland, Calif. Pacheco, a second baseman and outfielder, prepped at Redlands East Valley High.

Winter Haven, Fla. native Zenekia Willix will join head coach Sandy Pugh's women's basketball program in the fall after signing her NLI to committ to Southern. Willix, a 5-10 guard who prepped at Winter Haven High School, averaged 19.1 points per game, earned first team All-County and finished her career as the third leading rebounder in Winter Haven school history.

Joining Willix on Pugh's team is Cortnei Purnell of Glenda Dawson High School. Purnell, a native of Pearland, Texas, earned first and second team All-District honor while at Glenda Dawson and was named Newcomer of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. 

SOUTHERN U. JAGUARS SPRING 2013 SIGNEES

Men’s Basketball

Rashad Andrew 6-5 G Jamaica, N.Y./Boy’s and Girl’s Club (NY)
Tre’Lun Banks 6-1 G Baton Rouge, La./Scotlandville
Elex Carter 6-8 F Reserve, La./East St. John
Da’Monte McFarland 6-9 C Arlington, Texas/Arlington Heights
Jared Sam 6-9 F Baton Rouge, La./Scotlandville
Christopher Thomas 6-4 G Baton Rouge, La./Glen Oaks

Softball
Amanda Pacheco 5-9 OF Highland, Calif./Redlands East Valley

Women’s Basketball           
Cortnei Purnell 5-10 F Pearland, Texas/Glenda Dawson
Zenekia Willix 5-10 G Winter Haven, Fla./Winter Haven

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

WSSU’s Carrothers has shoulder surgery

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Anthony Carrothers — expected to be the starting quarterback at Winston-Salem State this fall — underwent shoulder surgery on Wednesday morning at Baptist Hospital.

Carrothers, who hurt the shoulder during the Rams’ playoff run last November, had surgery on his left labrum. The surgery was performed on his non-throwing shoulder and had been put off so that Carrothers could go through spring football practice last month.

Carrothers’ father, Anthony Carrothers Sr., said on Wednesday afternoon that his son was doing well.

“It was a long day for him,” Anthony Sr. said. “They found that the tear was a little bigger then they had thought, but they fixed everything and the doctor said the surgery went well.”

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WSSU eyes 3rd straight CIAA baseball title

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Coach Kevin Ritsche has no trouble finding good things to say about his Winston-Salem State baseball team.

The Rams, two-time defending CIAA champions, finished the regular season at 34-9 overall and 17-1 in the CIAA after recovering from a 6-6 record, and they’ll be favored again in this weekend’s CIAA Tournament, which will start today in Petersburg, Va.

“We are better all around record-wise, statistically, and as far as depth, we have that this year,” Ritsche said.

WSSU will open the double-elimination tournament at 1 p.m. today against Chowan, and the champion will qualify automatically for the NCAA Division II regionals.

“Our one through nine (batting order) is very deep, and we actually have two guys who can come off the bench and can hit as well,” said first baseman Aaron Jones, one of the Rams top hitters.

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SSU fires football coach Davenport and Staff

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  After two 1-10 football seasons, Savannah State head coach Steve Davenport was fired Wednesday afternoon.

Davenport’s assistant coaches were also let go, except for cornerbacks coach Corey Barlow, who was named the interim head coach.

“I don’t really know (why) and I didn’t ask,” said Davenport about his abrupt dismissal. “Me and the boss (athletics director Sterling Steward) have been clashing for a while. Some day I’ll have a story to tell, just not now.”

Steward did not several return calls Wednesday.

In a press release, Steward said, “We wish coach Davenport and his staff success with all their future endeavors.”

Davenport took over for interim coach Julius Dixon, who posted a 1-10 mark in 2010. Dixon replaced Robby Wells.

Savannah State hasn’t had ...

SSU 2013 Football Schedule

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FAMU Rattlers Football Chalk Talk and Fundraising Tour

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Plans are underway for the 4 stops of the 2013 Rattler Football Chalk Talk and Fundraising Tour featuring Florida A&M University head football coach Earl Holmes and other FAMU staff. Come show your support and your Rattler Pride!

The goal of the tour is to raise funds to support summer school scholarships, sell season tickets and raise support for the Rattler Football program.  Coach Holmes and members of his staff will also share insight on the 2013 season.  Other University administrators and staff will also be on hand to interact with Rattler fans current and new, as we enter into this new era of Rattler Football.

The events will be held as follows:

Event Cities
Monday, May 13 - Jacksonville
Tuesday, May 14 -  Orlando
Wednesday, May 15 - Tampa

Thursday, May 16 - South Florida

Friday, May 17 - Tour Event at NAA Meeting Hotel

Saturday, May 18 - NAA Athletic Presentation

Event Format

Reception
Q&A (Chalk Talk)
Ticket Give Aways to Homecoming and the Florida Blue Florida Classic.

   PDF Release

For more information or to sign up to be a ‘lead host’ in your area, contact Angela Suggs, Assistant AD for Marketing at angela.suggs@famu.edu or 850-599-3868.  Lead hosts will recruit others to be a part of the host committee and “lead” the way in donations, along with spreading the word in the host city.  Local FAMU National Alumni Association Chapters will also assist in getting the word out to Rattlers in the respective areas.

Specifics on each area’s events are being finalized and will be posted upon completion at FAMUATHLETICS.COM.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

JCSU Golden Bulls headed to Virginia State for the 2013 CIAA Spring Sports Championships



The 2013 CIAA Spring Sports Championships will be held April 18-20 on the campus

 of Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  –  Six teams from Johnson C. Smith University will travel to Petersburg, Virginia for the 2013 CIAA Spring Sports Championships hosted by Virginia State University on April 18-20. The Golden Bulls men's and women's track and field, men's and women's tennis, softball, and golf teams have all qualified for championship competition this spring.

After an impressive home meet during the JCSU Invitational, both the men's and women's track and field teams will compete for a 2013 outdoor conference championship. Saint Augustine's is considered the favorite, but the JCSU women's team has a solid opportunity to contend. Junior Danielle Williams is ranked number 1 in Division II for the 200m dash and earned the 2013 CIAA Indoor Track MVP. Williams won the 60m dash, 60m hurdles, and 200m dash during the conference indoor season.

The men's and women's 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams are projected to finish in the top three amongst the conference.

On the tennis courts, Shaw University is the favorite on the men's and women's side. Shaw is number one in the Southern Division and undefeated in the CIAA for both men's and women's competition. The Golden Bulls' women's team finished the regular season with a record of 10-14 overall and 10-6 in the CIAA. The men's team has showcased some talent this season, despite a 4-18 overall mark and 4-8 record in the conference. JCSU won its last CIAA Tennis Championship in 2004 on the men's side.

After splitting games with Benedict College, the Golden Bulls softball team concluded the regular season with a record of 11-26 overall and 6-11 in the CIAA. JCSU advances to the double elimination tournament as the fourth and final seed out of the Southern Division. Both JCSU and Shaw finished with 4-6 record in the division, but the Golden Bulls claimed the final seed due to victories in head to head competition against the Lady Bears.

JCSU golf will square off with divisional winners Fayetteville State (Southern) and Virginia State (Northern) for the top spot in the conference. The team did not finish with a team score in last year's championships and took ninth place in 2011. The Golden Bulls have made strides this season, including two third place finishes at the last two CIAA golf events.

Competition for tennis, softball, and golf will be held from April 18-20. Track and field events will begin on Friday, April 19th and conclude on April 20th. All events will be on the campus of VSU with the exception of golf competition. The golf championship will be determined on the Cardinal Golf Course in nearby Fort Lee, Virginia.

COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Morris: Ex-Johnson C. Smith star Jordan Mosely has the mental makeup to make the NFL

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  Somewhere along the whirlwind tour from Charlotte to Atlanta and back, perhaps while riding the Amtrak train or maybe the Greyhound bus, Jordan Mosely learned something about himself.

Nothing – not even 26 hours with little to no sleep – could prevent him from pursuing his dream of some day playing in the National Football League. Additionally, dealing with the unexpected only strengthened his resolve.

Mosely’s reward for overcoming adversity and performing at a high level during the March 17 NFL Regional Combine in Atlanta was an invitation to perform again Sunday and Monday in Dallas along with 218 other draft-eligible prospects at the Super Regional Combine.

“Jordan, obviously is over-the-moon excited to get to go out there and compete,” said Austin Atkinson, Mosely’s 35-year-old agent whose aim is to get his client drafted by an NFL team (not likely) or get him signed to participate in an NFL preseason camp (25 percent of Super Regional participants a year ago were invited to an NFL camp).

PHOTO GALLERY: JCSU's Jordan Mosely

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Albany State Rams still searching for QB recruits

ALBANY, Georgia  --  Somewhere out there is Albany State’s quarterback for next season.

Rams coach Mike White just hasn’t found him yet.

It’s been two months since National Signing Day and nearly a month since the Rams wrapped up spring practices with the annual Blue and Gold scrimmage, and White said Thursday that he and his coaching staff are still looking for a QB to come in and compete for the starting job this season.

Junior Rodney Castlin got the majority of the snaps in last month’s spring scrimmage, but White said back in February that he wasn’t sure if Castlin was the answer to the QB situation.

He echoed those feelings Thursday and said he is holding out hope that a new QB will be signed before practice starts in August.

“I was surprised that we didn’t get (a quarterback) back in December when recruiting was going on,” White said Thursday.

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Lane College grad Terry Fowler to be named new South Alabama women's basketball coach

COACH TERRY FOWLER
(Courtesy: twitter.com/Tfowl24)

MOBILE, Alabama -- Terry Fowler, a former South Alabama assistant coach and head coach at North Alabama the past seven seasons, will be named the new women's head basketball coach at South Alabama on Wednesday, sources close to South Alabama's program have told AL.com.

 

The school is expected to announce the Wednesday press conference later today. He will replace Rick Pietri, who was fired at the end of last season.
 

Fowler's name no longer appears on the North Alabama athletics web site as the school's head coach.

 

Fowler is familiar with the Mobile area and South Alabama. He spent two seasons as a Jaguars' assistant coach under former head coach Rick Pietri during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. He also spent five seasons (1993-94 to 1997-98) as an assistant coach at Mobile's Spring Hill College before taking over as head coach for two seasons (1998-99 and 1999-2000).

 

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Florida A&M's Fuller relies on old-school values

Former FSU, NFL player joins FAMU staff

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Corey Fuller doesn’t have any grandiose plans for how he is going to make his idea of turning the FAMU cornerbacks into some of the most competitive in all of college football work.

But it’s clear that he will rely on old-school values.

Sounding like a coach much older than his 41 years, Fuller insists that coaching is a ministry. He wants his players to be physical and he wants them to graduate.

The approach worked for him when he was a player, and most recently, when he was head coach at East Gadsden High School before being hired by FAMU coach Earl Holmes.



Fuller said leaving East Gadsden wasn’t an easy decision, but being at FAMU gives him an opportunity to continue what he was doing with the Jaguars.

“If they get a degree and their life gets changed ...

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No. 1! Gold Nuggets make history in NAIA coaches poll

The 2012-13 Xavier University of Louisiana women's tennis team
ROSTER
(Click on photo to enlarge)

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's women's tennis program made a historic leap to No. 1 in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll announced shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday.

This is the first time that a Xavier team in any sport has been ranked No. 1 in the NAIA. Xavier has competed in intercollegiate athletics since the 1930s and has produced NAIA-ranked teams since the early 1970s.

"This validates all the hard work and all the tough scheduling we've done through the years," said 10th-year XU coach Alan Green, whose team has won its last six duals and 10 of its last 12. "This is what I hoped we would get out of it."

The Gold Nuggets (14-7), No. 6 in the poll two weeks ago, received 8-of-13 first-place votes after dual-match victories against then-No. 2 William Carey on April 5 and then-No. 3 Auburn Montgomery the following day. AUM defeated then-No. 1 Brenau on April 9. Xavier is 9-0 this season against ranked NAIA opponents; all the losses were to NCAA Division I teams.

Brenau is second and AUM third in the new poll. Brenau received four first-place votes and AUM one.

"Everyone on the team believes we deserve this. It wasn't given to us," said junior Kourtney Howell,  an NAIA All-American in 2012. "Everyone has a lot of confidence right now. Being No. 1 definitely  makes us want to train harder. I think we'll handle the pressure fine."      The Gold Nuggets were 13th in the preseason poll on Jan. 29 and have climbed in every poll thereafter. This is the Nuggets' fourth consecutive top-10 appearance. The NAIA releases tennis polls every two weeks.      Although six of the previous eight Xavier teams qualified for the NAIA National Championship, the Gold Nuggets had spent just one week in the top 10 before this season. That was a No. 9 ranking in March 2007.      Xavier's next match will be Friday against Fisk in the quarterfinals of an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament at Jonesboro, Ga. The winner of that tournament will receive an automatic bid to nationals. Challenging the Nuggets from the opposite side of the eight-team bracket will be No. 19 SCAD Atlanta and No. 21 Milligan.      "We've made it to the top of the rankings, but in no way am I satisfied," Green said. "We still have a long way to go. We have a qualifying tournament this week and nationals next month. But I think we now believe we can win the national championship."      Xavier is one of 38 U.S. colleges listed as a "Best Buy School" in the 2013 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges. NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, April 14) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Xavier (8) 14-7 334 6 2 Brenau (4) 11-3 332 1 3 Auburn Montgomery (1) 11-8 323 3 4 SCAD Savannah 10-2 316 4 5 William Carey 10-7 297 2 6 Lindsey Wilson 14-2 292 5 7 Lewis-Clark State 7-7 270 10 8 Westmont 17-2 264 7 9 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 9-9 263 8 10 Oklahoma Baptist 11-6 243 11 11 Vanguard 11-15 231 12 12 Northwood (Fla.) 7-6 214 14 13 Concordia (Calif.) 9-11 211 9 14-tie Olivet Nazarene 9-6 189 18 14-tie Coastal Georgia 7-7 189 15 16 Indiana Wesleyan 18-1 185 13 17 Cumberland 12-5 173 16 18 St. Thomas (Fla.) 6-8 166 17 19 SCAD Atlanta 5-1 138 24 20 Campbellsville 9-8 117 19 21 Milligan 17-2 113 RV 22 Marian (Ind.) 16-9 106 21 23 Lee (Tenn.) 4-6 92 20 24 Ashford 13-1 85 RV 25 Southeastern (Fla.) 7-10 84 22 Others receiving votes: Nebraska Wesleyan 71, Belhaven 52, Davenport 48, Georgetown (Ky.) 27, Bethel (Kan.) 21, Northwestern Ohio 16, Robert Morris (Chicago) 13, Hope International 11, Martin Methodist 7, Indiana Southeast 5.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Xavier's five guys climb to No. 5 in NAIA coaches poll

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana coach Alan Green calls his men's tennis team's season nothing short of incredible.

The Gold Rush, despite playing shorthanded in every dual match this season, have four victories against NCAA Division I opponents, five against ranked NAIA opponents and two more against teams which weren't ranked when they played but are in the newest NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, which was announced Tuesday. The XU men's success earned them a jump from eighth to fifth in the poll, and it's the program's highest ranking ever.

Xavier's down-a-man roster has resulted in automatic forfeits at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles to opponents at full strength. But the Rush have produced a winning record with the help of five 5-4 victories and three 4-3 victories.

"It's pretty amazing that the guys are in the top five despite the adversity we've faced," Green said.

"We're playing shorthanded, and we can't afford to have an off day by a single guy. It's amazing what we have done to this point."

The Gold Rush (12-7) won 2-of-3 duals since the previous poll, including a 5-4 victory at then-No. 6 William Carey and a 4-3 victory at D-I Jackson State. This is the 47th consecutive Gold Rush appearance in the top 25 and the 17th straight in the top 10.

Next for the Rush will be an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament at Jonesboro, Ga.

Xavier has a bye in the quarterfinals and will meet SCAD Atlanta or Reinhardt in the semifinals Friday. The tournament winner will receive an automatic bid to next month's NAIA National Championship.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, April 14) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (5) 18-2 334 2 2 Auburn Montgomery (4) 16-3 333 1 3 Vanguard (4) 21-0 329 3 4 Westmont 11-10 303 5 5 Xavier 12-7 295 8 6 Bethany (Kan.) 15-1 286 7 7 William Carey 8-4 278 6 8 Bethel (Tenn.) 17-2 269 11 9 Lindsey Wilson 13-3 262 4 10 Cumberland 15-3 245 9 11 Concordia (Calif.) 11-11 234 10 12 Lewis-Clark State 6-5 214 12 13 Aquinas 16-4 208 13 14 Belhaven 12-3 204 14 15 Northwood (Fla.) 9-4 191 15 16 Oklahoma Baptist 13-7 167 17 17 Northwestern Ohio 10-5 156 18 18 McPherson 18-6 152 19 19 Warner 10-7 143 22 20 Pikeville 9-4 133 RV 21 Webber International 10-11 119 20 22 Campbellsville 9-8 115 16 23 Graceland 11-5 105 23 24 Davenport 13-6 101 24 25 Indiana Wesleyan 15-5 62 RV Others receiving votes: Martin Methodist 50, St. Francis (Ill.) 47, St. Thomas (Fla.) 42, Coastal Georgia 35, Spring Arbor 22, Olivet Nazarene 19, Asbury 8, Hope International 7, Cumberlands 4, Mobile 3.

Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA