Paine's Link tabbed as next mens basketball coach at Clayton State

HEAD COACH JIMMY LINK
COURTESY PAINE COLLEGE ATHLETICS

MORROW, Georgia — Jimmy Link, a veteran of 10 seasons of college basketball experience, has been named as just the fifth head men's basketball coach in the 25-year history of Clayton State University as announced by Tim Duncan, Director of Athletics, on Monday, May 11. An introductory press conference will be scheduled on campus in the near future.

"We are excited to have Jimmy Link join our department as the head coach of our men's basketball program. Having worked with Jimmy previously, I know he embodies the qualities we look for in all of our head coaches – a passion to help student-athletes succeed in the classroom and on the court. We are fortunate to have Jimmy, his wife Jen and children Maverick, Beckett and Nash become the newest members of the Laker family."

Link, who has coached at all three levels of the NCAA as well as in the NAIA, joins the Lakers following a very successful run as head coach at Division II Paine College in Augusta, Ga. During his four-plus years in that role he compiled an 81-60 overall record (.574) and 59-41 (.590) mark in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

He also coached and recruited five All-SIAC selections, two Freshman of the Year, a Player of the Year and himself earned Coach of the Year honors. Additionally, he coached a pair of BoxtoRow All-Americans, a National Player of the Year and was named National Coach of the Year.

His teams have also achieved national recognition in several statistical categories, ranking second in the country in blocks per game (7.0 bpg) and 25th in field goal percentage defense in 2011-12 and

"I want to thank Clayton State President Dr. Tim Hynes, Director of Athletics Tim Duncan and the search committee for their confidence in me to lead the men's basketball program to the next level," said Link. "It is truly an honor to join an institution of this caliber with the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the country in the Peach Belt Conference. I look forward to getting Laker basketball back to where it belongs – contending for league championships and in the NCAA Tournament."

He joined the Lions as an assistant coach in July of 2010 before taking over as interim head coach in late December of that year. Taking over a team that was 1-4 and predicted to finish last in the SIAC, he led Paine to a 10-13 record the rest of the way, a berth in the SIAC Tournament and a surprise 68-65 victory over LeMoyne-Owen in the first round.

Following that campaign, Link was named as the permanent head coach of the program and brought about continued success for the Lions. In his first full season at the helm, 2011-12, he won six of his first seven games and produced a 16-13 overall record and a pair of SIAC Tournament wins as part of a trip to the semifinals.

That season also produced a SIAC Freshman of the Year award winner in Kedric Taylor, who averaged 10.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He was also one of just seven Division II players to record a triple-double on the year.

The 2012-13 campaign would see PC go 14-15 with a 10-8 league mark but make a second consecutive trip to the SIAC semifinals. Mario Jordan, an eventual 1,000-point scorer for the Lions, would go on to earn All-SIAC honors following the season.

A very impressive two-year span would begin with the 2013-14 season as Paine surged to an 18-13 overall record and went 11-7 in league. All-Conference honorees in Taylor and transfer Kenny Fluellen resulted in another trip to the SIAC semifinals.

What had been built over the previous three-plus years would come to fruition in the 2014-15 campaign. This past season, after opening 1-3, the Lions exploded to win 22 of their next 25 games to close the season with a stellar 23-6 record, including a 14-1 home record. Not included in that stretch was a near upset of Division I Kennesaw, 80-75, in a regular season exhibition.

As impressive as that mark was, a 17-2 performance in league play helped the Lions earn the SIAC East Division Championship before making another semifinal appearance. As is to be expected with a season of that magnitude, the postseason recognitions rolled in for Paine.

Link would be named the SIAC Coach of the Year while Denzel Dillingham and Arnis Libazs were All-Conference selections. Dillingham would add Player of the Year as well as Freshman of the Year. Dillingham and Link would add BoxtoRow National Player of the Year and Coach of the Year honors, respectively.

Dillingham and Libazs each were named All-Americans by that organization while the latter was a two-time SIAC All-Academic Team selection, earning that honor in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Prior to joining Paine, Link began his coaching career in 2004-05 at his alma mater, then NAIA Flagler College. That season he helped the Saints to a 23-8 record, an NAIA Sweet 16 berth and Top-10 national ranking before moving on to an assistant position at Division III Washington College (Md.) in 2005-06. While there he recruited 13 players, a group that helped deliver a 13-14 overall record, a number of wins that was the most by the program since the 2000-01 campaign.

As his alma mater made the transition to the NCAA Division II ranks, Link returned to St. Augustine as an assistant coach from 2006-08. Following a 14-13 outing in that first season, he helped recruit a class that resulted in a strong 20-7 campaign in 2007-08.

That performance helped land him an assistant position at recent NCAA Division I transition program North Florida in 2008-09. Following that one season he returned to Division II, joining Southeast Region member Newberry on Steve DeMeo's staff before making the eventual jump to the staff of 500-game winner Dennis Spry in the summer of 2010.

Paine was not Link's first experience being part of building a highly successful program as he spent four years playing point guard at then NAIA Flagler from 1999-2003. During that four-year period the Saints produced an 80-39 overall record but were an incredible 66-22 over the final three seasons.

Following 20-8 (2000-01) and 24-6 (2001-02) campaigns that resulted in national rankings both years, the 2002-03 season would prove to be among the best in the program's history. That year Flagler went 22-8 overall, won the Florida Sun Conference, was nationally ranked four times and made the first NAIA National Tournament appearance in team history.

Following his playing career, Link graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with an emphasis in Broadcast. He and his wife Jen have two sons, Maverick and Beckett, and are currently awaiting their third child, Nash, in the coming weeks.

What Others Are Saying About Jimmy Link

Frank Martin, University of South Carolina Head Basketball Coach
"I've known Jimmy since he was a real young high school player and he has always been a relentless worker that will make everyone at Clayton State proud. Everyone needs to get ready for a great ride that will be built the right way."

Selina B. Kohn, Paine College Director of Athletics
"Coach Link has done an exceptional job leading our Lions men's basketball program since 2011. All of his efforts during the past five seasons are much appreciated. We wish him the very best and I want to thank him for being a valued employee of Paine College. He gave his all to the Lions men's basketball program and he left a positive mark on his players. We wish him the best of luck at Clayton State and beyond."

Bo Clark, Longtime and Current Flagler Head Men's Basketball Coach
"Jimmy is an excellent coach and an excellent teacher. He has a tremendous passion and a contagious enthusiasm as a coach. I'm really proud of him and am really excited for him and Jen and their beautiful family. He will do great things at Clayton State."

Dip Metress, GRU Augusta Head Men's Basketball Coach
"I was very excited to see that Jimmy got the job at Clayton. He walked into a tough situation at Paine and he earned the job at Clayton through his hard work there."

Matt Kilcullen, Mercy College Athletic Director/Former UNF Head Men's Basketball Coach
"Jimmy Link is an outstanding young coach, not only because he understands the game of basketball, but he understands young people and his ability to relate and communicate to them is extraordinary. He will soon have Clayton St. competing for the Peach Belt Conference title."

Steve DeMeo, Northwest Florida State College Head Men's Basketball Coach/Former Newberry Head Men's Basketball Coach
"Jim Link is a proven winner on and off the court. He will be a fine leader of student-athletes, not only teaching them how to win championships on the court but also how to be prepared to either enter the workforce after graduation or play ball over seas. Tim Duncan, Clayton State and the Peach Belt are getting an incredible young coach who is an even better person."

Fred Watson, Benedict Head Men's Basketball Coach
"I am genuinely happy for my friend Jimmy. This is a great day for him and the basketball program at Clayton State. He is an extremely hard worker, a great recruiter and has a great understanding of the game. I'm sure he will implement the same frenetic, high octane brand of basketball to the Peach Belt that his teams have always employed. I respected what he was building at Paine. His teams were always loaded with talent which made them hard to prepare for. I am confident he will do the same at Clayton State because, I know for sure, he will get the best players, he will do his homework and they will be prepared. Clayton State has found a terrific leader for its basketball program."

Transactions
Announced that Jimmy Link has been named the fifth head men's basketball coach in the 25-year history of the program at Clayton State.

COURTESY CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Florida A&M Lady Rattlers Fall 6-0 To No.1 Seed Florida Gators

BOX SCORE

GAINESVILLE, Florida -- The Florida A&M Women's Softball team dropped a tough 6-0 decision to the University of Florida in the opening round of the NCAA Gainesville Regional at KSP Stadium Friday night.

Florida A&M (18-38) defied expectations of being a quick out for the defending national champion Gators (51-6), which had scored eight-run rule decisions against FAMU in their last four meetings, including last year's regional opener.

But FAMU freshman pitcher Veronica Burse (3-19), was unfazed, pitching five and one third innings, scattering eight hits, with one strike out and four walks, using a variety of outside and low pitches to keep the heavy-hitting Gators off balance at the plate.

Video

After UF plated a pair of runs in the first, they could only manage single runs in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings, led by leadoff hitter Kelsey Stewart, who had three of the Gators' eight hits, scoring the game's first run, after reaching on a triple, via a double by Nicole DeWitt.

FAMU offensively was handcuffed by Florida freshman pitcher Aleshia Ocasio, who tied a UF single-game record with 17 strikeouts.

Ocasio's no-hit bid was broken up in the sixth inning, when FAMU's Amanda Weaver lashed a two-out single into right field.

WHAT'S NEXT: Florida A&M will face Florida Atlantic, which dropped a 1-0 decision to Hofstra, in a 3:30 p.m. elimination game.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Bethune-Cookman baseball advances to MEAC championship against rival Florida A&M

SALISBURY, Maryland – Bethune-Cookman used solid outings from starting pitchers Alex Seibold and German Hernandez on Friday, helping the Wildcats defeat Norfolk State (12-1) and Delaware State (13-0) in a pair of elimination games to advance to the title series of the MEAC Championships at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. This year’s championships are being hosted by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

B-CU 12, NORFOLK STATE 1 (RECAP)
Junior pitcher Alex Seibold tossed six innings on Friday morning, allowing just a single run on three hits to help push the Wildcats past the Norfolk State Spartans in the first of two elimination games at the MEAC Baseball Championships. Bethune-Cookman took down the Spartans, 12-1, advancing to the afternoon’s second elimination semifinal contest.

With Bethune-Cookman (18-39) holding tonto a 4-1 lead heading into the eighth inning, the Wildcats demonstrated one of their best offensive outputs of the season with an eight-run eighth inning to enforce the run-rule decision.

The bases were loaded with just one out when senior centerfielder Jake Welch was hit by a pitch to drive in the inning’s first run. That was followed by catcher Clay Middleton’s two-run single past the glove of Norfolk State (27-16) shortstop Alex Mauricio, driving in Brandon Amendolare and Jameel Edney for the 7-1 Wildcats advantage.

Having won 12 consecutive games to claim the top seed out of the Northern Division, NSU went to the bullpen for the second time in the inning as Jeff Di Fulgo toed the rubber.

Bryant Munoz pushed across a run with a RBI single to center that scored Welch, followed by a sac fly from Nathan Bond that drove across redshirt freshman shortstop Demetrius Sims.

That allowed B-CU a 9-1 lead.

Redshirt senior right fielder Jordan Robinson and third baseman Jameel Edney registered back-to-back RBI singles, advancing the lead at 11-1. Robinson later produced the final 12-1 margin when he scored on an error charged to the Spartans infield.

The Wildcats plated the first run of the game in the fourth as Munoz began the inning with a double to left, later coming across to score on a throwing error charged to the NSU outfield.

The Cats got three additional runs in the seventh, using a Sims sac fly to plate Rakeem Quinn. However, the highlight of the frame was designated hitter Austin Garcia’s solo shot to straight-away center field – officially logged at 419 feet, putting the Wildcats ahead 4-0 heading into the bottom of the inning.

Seibold worked six complete innings on the hill, striking out a season-best 10 batters on the day. He scattered three hits, allowing just a single run to earn the win. He evened his record at 5-5 on the year.

The loss went to Norfolk State’s Stephen Butt who fell to 5-2. He was tagged for four runs (three earned) on three hits and walked three with two strikeouts.

Bethune-Cookman was led offensively by Munoz with a 3-for-5 game, scoring twice and driving in a pair. Robinson finished 2-for-4 with two runs and a RBI, while teammate and catcher Clay Middleton was 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored.

With the win, Bethune-Cookman advances to face Delaware State in the final elimination game of the day, in what is essentially a semifinal contest at 2 p.m.

B-CU 13, DELAWARE STATE 0 (RECAP)
Bethune-Cookman junior German Hernandez pitched five scoreless innings, combining with freshman Alexis Herrera’s two scoreless frames to help the Wildcats to a 13-0 decision over Delaware State in the semifinal contest of the MEAC Baseball Championships on Friday afternoon at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland.

Having fallen in the opening game of the 2015 MEAC Baseball Championships to the Delaware State Hornets on Wednesday, Bethune-Cookman (19-39) wasted little time avoiding a repeat of that performance.

With the bases loaded and one out in the first inning, Jameel Edney recorded a fielder’s choice RBI that scored shortstop Demetrius Sims for the game’s opening run. Austin Garcia followed with a RBI single to right, scoring Nathan Bond for the 2-0 lead.

Garcia was back to action in the third, driving in Edney from first with a double to left center. The LaBelle, Florida sophomore would come in to score himself off a wild pitch from Delaware State (16-29) starting pitcher Darrien Ragins, allowing the Wildcats a 4-0 lead after three innings in the books.

After scoring two more runs in the fourth, Bethune-Cookman put the run-rule into place in the fifth, plating seven runs in the frame.

Brandon Amendolare and Jake Welch scored off the bat of Sims, while Bryant Munoz scored Sims with a RBI single to center field.

That stretched the B-CU lead out to 7-0.

Bond drove across Munoz with a single through the left side, followed by Garcia’s bases loaded single through the left side off DSU reliever Tyler Cullen. When Amendolare tallied a sacrifice fly to left that allowed Jordan Robinson to score from third, the Wildcats lead stood at 12-0.

The final run of the game came off the bat of Welch, as he singled to left bringing in Edney for the final 13-0 decision in favor of the Maroon and Gold.

In his first career start on the mound, Hernandez worked five innings, picking up his best outing of the campaign in allowing just a single hit and fanning four batters against just two walks. With the win, he upped his record to 1-2 for the year. Herrera worked the final two innings out of the bullpen, giving up four hits and striking out two batters.

Bethune-Cookman was led offensively by the play of Bond who finished a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and a RBI. Sims ended the game 3-for-5 with two runs and a RBI, with teammate Garcia turning in a 3-for-4 effort with three RBI and scoring a single run. Robinson and Edney each gathered multi-hit games as well.

Bethune-Cookman will now advance to face rival Florida A&M for the MEAC title. B-CU would need to defeat FAMU twice in order to claim the championship for the second time in as many years, and advance to the ninth NCAA Regional in the past 10 seasons.

For the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow us on Twitter, @BCUDiamondCats. For the most accurate and up to date information delivered to your phone, download the official Bethune-Cookman Wildcats app for your Droid or iPhone.

BOX SCORE BCU VS. NSU

BOX SCORE BCU VS. DSU

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Green Bay Packers LB Joe Thomas (SCSU) should earn role

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin -- As the Green Bay Packers look to repair their inside linebacker position entering 2015, it is easy to become short-sighted. The quick roster turnaround that has taken place at the position sets eyes squarely on the new arrival of Michigan’s Jake Ryan, but linebacker Joe Thomas, a holdover from the Green Bay Packers’ 2014 undrafted free agent class, should push for a prominent depth role out of camp.

Now 24 years old, Thomas is getting a well-earned second chance to crack the Packers’ 53-man roster. After making some serious noise throughout training camp in 2014 and creating a legitimate case for a spot as a rookie, a knee injury in the preseason ended Thomas’ year prematurely. Impressed by his audition, though, Ted Thompson retained Thomas later in 2014 with an eye towards this coming season.



Sam Barrington will likely be joined by Jake Ryan to start 2015 on the inside, but along with 2014 draftee Carl Bradford, the door is wide open for Joe Thomas to earn a complimentary role within Dom Capers’ defense. The Packers’ 2014 season shows us that Green Bay may need several quality options at the position, too.

CONTINUE READING

Loss to LSU Leaves Texas Southern Facing Nebraska

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – Texas Southern University fell to LSU, 15-0, Friday night during the first round of the NCAA Baton Rouge Regionals at Tiger Park.

Thomasina Garza claimed the first hit for the Tigers as she slammed a single to center field. Her efforts went unanswered as TSU was handed its third strikeout to clear all bases. Ten runs were scored at the bottom of the first inning as the Cornhuskers used six hits to grab a large scoring lead.

Texas Southern opened the second inning with two outs when Gisella Parnanich hit a single through the right side, followed by a walk for Adreana Casares – moving two Tigers on base. A final strikeout came and ended the frame with zero runs. TSU finished the second by giving up another five runs, making the score 15-0.

After three innings of scoreless play, the game ended in the fifth due to run-rule. As a result of inclement weather, the game was delayed one hour and 19 minutes (in total).

This marked the Tigers’ second shutout game in the 2014-15 season.

The Tigers will face Nebraska tomorrow, May 16, at 2:30 p.m. TSU must defeat the Cornhuskers in order to remain active in the NCAA Softball Tournament. Follow live stats or Watch ESPN.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS 

Historic NCAA Run Continues For WSSU Rams; Rolls The West Chester Golden Rams, 9-4

ERIE, Pennsylvania  – The #21 Winston-Salem State Rams broke out the big bats and hit four home runs, while the pitching held West Chester in check, striking out eight Golden Rams on the day, as WSSU cruised to a 9-4 win on Friday in the NCAA Atlantic Regional at Jerry Uht Park, in Erie, Pa.

WSSU jumped on the board first in a big way, when in the bottom of the third inning, the Rams would explode for five runs. Jacob Barber led off with a single, and Taylor Idol would later walk. After Des Roberts reached on a fielder's choice, Gavin Culler singled to center field scoring Barber and Roberts. After a Colby Keene single, Connor Andrus would hit a mammoth home run to left field to give the Rams a 5-0 advantage.

West Chester would chip into the WSSU lead with one run in the fourth and one in the sixth to pull closer, but the Winston-Salem State bats were too hot on this night.

After a Nathan Steger walk, Jacob Barber would launch a two run home run to deep left, followed by a solo home run from Alex Grubb to give WSSU a 8-2 lead heading into the seventh inning.

The Golden Rams of West Chester got one back with a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning, but once again the Winston-Salem State bats would answer.

In the bottom of the eighth, Alex Grubb would hit his second home run of the night, a towering shot to right center to give WSSU a 9-3 lead heading into the ninth.

West Chester would manage to get one more run across the plate on a solo home run to left center field, but Devin McLemore would settle down and retire the side for the WSSU Rams win.

Freshman, Tyler Scearce picked up the win, going an impressive 6.2 innings, allowing two runs, four hits and three walks while striking out five Golden Rams.Eric Corlett came on in relief and pitched 1.1 innings, allowing one run, one hit and one walk while striking out two batters. Devin McLemore closed out the game for WSSU, pitching the final innings, allowing one run on one hits with a walk and a strikeout.

The WSSU Rams were led at the plate by Alex Grubb, who went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, two runs batted in, including two solo home runs on the day. Jacob Barber also went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and two runs batted in, including a two run home run. Gavin Culler continues to swing a hot bat in the postseason, going 2 for 4 with a run scored and two runs batted in. Connor Andrus finished 1 for 3 with a run scored and three runs batted in, including a 3 run home run. Colby Keene went 1 for 3 with a run scored, and Des Roberts also scored a run.

The WSSU Rams remain the only undefeated team in the NCAA Atlantic Regional.

WSSU will take on the winner of the 12:00pm game that features #5 West Chester vs. #1 Mercyhurst. Winston-Salem State will play this game at 7:00pm at Jerry Uht Park.

On Thursday, the Atlantic Region #4 seed, used a solid pitching performance, and got big hits from Gavin Culler and Colby Keene, as the Rams rolled to a 5-2 win over #11 and #3 seed, Seton Hill on Thursday evening in the opening round of the NCAA DII Regionals.

With the win, Winston-Salem State improves to 41-13, while the Seton Hill Griffins fall to 42-12.

The Winston-Salem State Rams go going early, as Des Roberts and Gavin Culler both reach with singles in the first inning, and Roberts was brought home on a Connor Andrus single to right field, to give WSSU an early 1-0 lead.

Seton Hill looked to get right back in the game in their first at-bat, but a double play from Nathan Steger to Taylor Idol to Jacob Barber ended any threat.

The Rams added two more runs in the seventh inning, as Jacob Barber singled to open the inning, and Taylor idol reached on a throwing error by the Seton Hill third baseman, moving the runners to second and third with no outs. After Des Roberts reached on a fielder's choice, Gavin Culler came through with single through the right side that would score Barber. Colby Keene would single through the left side scoring Roberts, and giving the WSSU Rams a 3-0 lead.

Seton Hill would manage to plate one run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but once again Hayden O'Neal, on in relief for Sam Burton, shut down the Griffins with just the one run.

WSSU would add two more important insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning, as Des Roberts would walk and steal second base. And once again, Gavin Culler would come up big with a double to left center field, scoring Roberts. Colby Keene would add another rbi to his total, as he would single in Gavin Culler before being thrown out at first to give WSSU a 5-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.

The Griffins would add one run, but Jordan Cummings would induce a routine groundout by one of the nation's top hitters in Nick Sell, to second base for the WSSU Rams 5-2 win.

The WSSU win is their first win in an opening round game, and head coach Kevin Ritsche called the game "the biggest in school history". It is the Ram third win in a NCAA Regional game.

WSSU vs WC BOX SCORE

WSSU vs SHU BOX SCORE

COURTESY WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Nuggets, Grizzlies will resume Saturday; XU leads 2-1

MOBILE, Alabama -- A Friday rainstorm caused the postponement of Xavier University of Louisiana's women's semifinal dual match against Georgia Gwinnett at the NAIA National Championships.

Competition will resume at 8:30 a.m. CDT Saturday at Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center.

Xavier led the dual 2-1 when play was suspended at 3:50 p.m. because of lightning strikes in the area. Enough rain quickly followed to make the courts unplayable for the remainder of the day.

The Gold Nuggets, in the semifinals for the third consecutive year and seeded fifth, trailed in 5-of-6 singles matches, none of which were completed.

For the second consecutive day, Brion Flowers and Brandi Nelson scored Xavier's first point. They defeated Chiara Di Salvo and Helga Pinones-Haltenhoff 8-4 at No. 3 doubles.

Georgia Gwinnett, the defending champion and No. 1 seed, tied the dual when Valeria Podda and Laura Wehner defeated Caroline Vernet and Simone-Alyse Ewell 8-5 at the top flight. The Grizzlies' Luma Schwab and Victoria Svensson rallied from four games down to tie their match with Nour Abbes and Carmen Nelson, but Abbes and Nelson won the final two games and prevailed 9-7.

"We got off to a really good start in doubles," XU coach Alan Green said. "We got what we wanted."

Georgia Gwinnett won the first set in 5-of-6 singles matches. The exception was at No. 2, where Vernet led Wehner 6-0, 3-3.

Abbes trailed Podda 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 at No. 1 in a matchup of two of the NAIA's top three singles players. Carmen Nelson trailed Judith van Fraaijenhoven 6-4, 1-2 at No. 3, Ewell trailed Schwab 6-3, 1-1 at No. 4, Flowers trailed Di Salvo 6-2, 3-2, and Brandi Nelson trailed Pinones-Haltenhoff 6-2, 5-2.

"We're in a war in the singles because Georgia Gwinnett has stepped it up," Green said. "It looks like this is going to go to the wire. (Georgia Gwinnett) had a lot of momentum. The rain delay is good for some, but not all.
We'll finish the job tomorrow and see what happens."

The Gold Nuggets seek to become the first XU team in any sport to reach the championship round of an NAIA national tournament.

The other women's semifinal between second-seeded Auburn Montgomery and third-seeded Lindsey Wilson also will resume at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The men's championship dual between Georgia Gwinnett and Embry-Riddle (Fla.) was pushed back a half-hour to 9:30 a.m.

The women's championship is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/

NCAA clears SU for postseason play in 2015-16

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University's NCAA-imposed postseason ban as a result of the unusable data probation has been lifted, interim athletics director Roman Banks announced Friday.

During Friday's meeting in the J.S. Clark Administration building, Banks informed the SU Board of Supervisors that all athletic programs are postseason eligible for the 2015-16 academic year and revert to having their Academic Progress Rate scores determine postseason eligibility.

Furthermore, Southern's fall certification is a key and ongoing component in culminating the department's unusable data probationary period.

"I think the university came together," Banks said. "I think [the] great leadership of this university, starting with our [Board of Supervisors], pushed - to the [system] president, to the chancellor, to the direct personnel at the institutions - to bring our departments together and have oversight and find our way to get pass where we are now."

"Now, [our coaches] can go out an have a chance to put ourselves in a better recruiting spot."

Beginning with 2012-13 championships, NCAA Division I institutions must earn a minimum 900 four-year APR or a 930 average over the most recent two years to be eligible to participate. For 2014-15 championships, teams must earn a 930 four-year average APR or a 940 average over the most recent two years to participate in championships. In 2015-16 and beyond, teams must earn a four-year APR of 930 to compete in championships.

Southern learned the 2013-14 student-athlete data submitted to the NCAA has been deemed accurate and serves as the department's starting point for the calculation of future multi-year APR scores.

For more information log on to GoJagSports.com for the latest news, scores and updates on Southern Jaguar athletics. Fans can also access the latest information on SU athletics through social media by following @SouthernUsports on Twitter and Instagram or liking the Jaguars' Facebook page at Facebook.com/SouthernUJaguars.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

2015 SWAC Baseball Tourney: Friday Update

May 13-17, 2015 • New Orleans, La.
MLB Urban Youth Academy • Wesley Barrow Stadium

TOURNAMENT BRACKET | ALL-SWAC BASEBALL TEAMS | TOURNAMENT PREVIEW
TOURNAMENT NOTES | 2015 TOURNAMENT STATISTICS | CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP
LIVE AUDIO (SWAC DIGITAL NETWORK) | MEDIA CREDENTIAL REQUESTS

GM	MATCH-UP	TIME/RESULT	COVERAGE
WEDNESDAY - MAY 13
1	#2 Southern def. #3 Jackson State	10 - 5	RECAP | PHOTOS
2	#3 Grambling State def. #2 Alabama A&M	8 - 3	RECAP | PHOTOS
3	#1 Alabama State def. #4 Prairie View A&M	5 - 4	RECAP | PHOTOS
4	#1 Texas Southern def. #4 Alcorn State	5 - 2	RECAP | PHOTOS
THURSDAY - MAY 14
5	#3 Jackson State def.#4 Prairie View A&M	10 - 1	RECAP | PHOTOS
6	#4 Alcorn State def. #2 Alabama A&M	13 - 3 (7)	RECAP | PHOTOS
7	#2 Southern def. #1 Alabama State	13 - 12 (10)	RECAP | PHOTOS
8	#3 Grambling State def. #1 Texas Southern	6 - 0	RECAP | PHOTOS
FRIDAY - MAY 15
9	#3 Jackson State def. #1 Alabama State	4 - 1	LIVE STATS | AUDIO
10	#4 Alcorn State vs. #1 Texas Southern	2:10 p.m.	LIVE STATS | AUDIO
11	#2 Southern vs. #3 Jackson State	TBD	LIVE STATS | AUDIO
12	#3 Grambling State vs. Winner Game 10	TBD	LIVE STATS | AUDIO
SATURDAY - MAY 16
11b	Winner 11 vs. Loser 11 (if necessary)	Noon	LIVE STATS | AUDIO
12b	Winner 12 vs. Loser 12 (if necessary)	3 p.m.	LIVE STATS | AUDIO
SUNDAY - MAY 17
13	Bracket A Winner vs. Bracket B Winner	2 p.m. (ESPNU)	LIVE STATS | AUDIO | ESPN3

Tournament Information

When: May 13-17, 2015
Where: Wesley Barrow Stadium (New Orleans, La.)
Admission: General Daily $10 | General Tournament $35

The 2015 Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament takes place May 13-17 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the MLB Urban Youth Academy's Wesley Barrow Stadium.  This is the second year the tournament is being held at the Urban Youth Academy.

The top four finishers from the Eastern and Western Divisions qualify for the SWAC baseball tournament.  The team with the highest winning percentage during conference play is the regular season divisional champion and receives the number one seed.

Last year, Jackson State claimed its second consecutive title after defeating Alabama State 9-8.  The 2015 baseball championship game will be broadcast live on ESPNU with a tape delayed replay on ESPN3.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Southern wins in extras to advance in SWAC baseball tournament

NEW ORLEANS -- The Southern baseball team moved within one game of playing for the SWAC championship when it beat Alabama State 13-12 in 10 innings, in a second-round conference tournament game Thursday at Wesley Barrow Stadium in New Orleans.

A two-out error by Southern in the bottom of the ninth let Alabama State score two runs to tie the score at 12-12. Southern regained the lead in the 10th when D.J. Wallace singled home Marcus Tomlin with one out.

The blown lead for Southern was the second of the game. The Jaguars led 8-0 after the top of the fourth, and trailed 9-8 after five innings. Alabama State pulled even with eight runs in the fourth, and added another run in the fifth.

In the ninth, Southern's Lance Jones hit a solo home run for what appeared to be an insurance run for a 12-9 lead, before Alabama State scored three runs, including the last two on a grounder with two outs.

CONTINUE READING

Florida A&M Advances to MEAC Championship with 11-2 Win Over Delaware State

SALISBURY, Maryland  –  Florida A&M (22-23, 15-9 MEAC) scored all 11 runs over the final
three innings to drop Delaware State (16-28, 13-11 MEAC) 11-2 and advance to the MEAC Championship Game which will be held on Saturday. FAMU starter Ricky Page (2-0) earned the win after pitching a season-long seven innings and tied a season-high with five strikeouts. Page only allowed one unearned run on three hits with four walks. Six different Rattlers had multi-hit performances in the win. The Rattlers have now won five straight games and eight of their last nine.

FAMU has totaled 27 hits so far in its’ first two games of the MEAC Tournament. For the second straight game, at least four FAMU players had a multi-hit day.

Marlon Gibbs was 4-for-5 at the plate with an RBI and three runs scored, while Jeremy Barlow recorded a season-high three hits as he went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI. AJ Elkins, Ryan Kennedy, Brian Davis and Kendal Weeks each added two hits for the Rattler offense. Davis drove in a season-high three runs in the game including a two-run single in the sixth inning that helped blow the game open.

DSU scored first with an unearned run in the top of the second inning for a 1-0 lead. Jaylen Zielecki drew a walk with one out and scored from first as Austin Bentley reached on a throwing error from Kennedy. Kennedy’s throw to first went high and ricocheted off the wall behind first base and back into play.

Florida A&M finally got the offense going as it exploded with five runs to take a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Rattlers had six hits in the inning, including four straight hits to start the bottom of the sixth. Elkins and Gibbs recorded back-to-back singles to start the FAMU sixth. After a ball that was just foul of a would-be home run, Kennedy followed with an RBI double to right center to score Elkins. With runners now on second and third, Davis plated two more runs with a single to left center. After Michael Birdsong flew out just shy of the wall in left, a wild pitch from Hornet reliever Hunter McVey allowed Davis to come home from third. Barlow scored the fifth run of the inning on an RBI single from Kendal Weeks.

Weeks came into the MEAC Tournament with just two hits on the season, but has caught fire and tallied three hits so far since entering the Tournament.

The Rattlers added another run in the seventh inning to push their lead to 6-1. Gibbs led off with a single to short, stole second and moved to third on a groundout to second from Kennedy. Gibbs later came home to score on a sac fly to left from Davis.

Delaware State picked up its’ final run in the eighth to cut the Rattler lead to 6-2. Justin Allen led off with a single and came around to score after back-to-back singles from Zielecki and Bentley.

FAMU scored five more runs in the eighth inning for the final score of 11-2.

BOX SCORE

Delaware State starter Zach Candeloro (1-0) suffered the loss after he allowed three runs on six hits in five innings of work. Candeloro recorded three strikeouts and one walk.

Florida A&M advances to Saturday’s MEAC Championship which is scheduled to start at 1:00 PM. The Rattlers will face the winner out of the losers’ bracket between Delaware State, Norfolk State and Bethune-Cookman.

As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @FAMUAthletics and live stats will be available via www.FAMUAthletics.com.

XU Nuggets win, Rush lose in NAIA quarterfinals

Brandi Nelson wins in straight sets at #6 singles . 

MOBILE, Alabama -- Xavier University of Louisiana's women's tennis team defeated SCAD Savannah 5-0 Thursday to reach the semifinals of the NAIA National Championship for the third consecutive year.

Xavier's men were eliminated in the quarterfinals for the fourth straight year. Vanguard rallied to defeat the Gold Rush 5-4.

The Gold Nuggets (17-9) will play defending national champion Georgia Gwinnett, the No. 1 seed, at 1 p.m. Friday at Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center.

Freshman Caroline Vernet and sophomore Brandi Nelson won in doubles and singles to lead the fifth-seeded Nuggets past the fourth-seeded Bees (13-5). It was the first time in eight tries that the XU women defeated a higher-seeded team at nationals.

Vernet and Nelson both won 6-0, 6-1 in singles, with Vernet clinching at the second flight against Maria Barragan. It was Vernet's second victory of the season against a nationally ranked NAIA opponent.

Vernet and Simone-Alyse Ewell won the final four games at the top flight to beat Camille Gbaguidi and Carolina Viteri 9-7 and complete a three-match doubles sweep.

The Xavier-Georgia Gwinnett winner will play second-seeded Auburn Montgomery or third-seeded Lindsey Wilson for the championship at 1 p.m. Saturday. No XU team in any sport has reached the NAIA's championship round.

In the men's dual, sixth-seeded Xavier (13-8) dropped 2-of-3 doubles matches, but got singles victories from Tushar Mandlekar, Nikita Soifer and Adam Albrecht to build a 4-3 lead. Then third-seeded Vanguard (27-1) won a pair of three-set matches, with Daymon Johnson beating Manav Chakma 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 to clinch at the fifth flight.

Vanguard's doubles victories came against XU's two ranked teams, Kyle Montrel/Soifer and Mandlekar/Chakma.

It was the third time in five years that the Lions eliminated the Gold Rush. Xavier lost to Vanguard for the second time this season.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/

TSU T&F to Compete in OVC Outdoor Championship, Friday

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The Tennessee State track and field teams will head to Austin Peay, Friday, to close out their seasons in the OVC Outdoor Championship.

The two-day event will be the culmination of the hard-work put in by the Tigerbelles and Flying Tigers and will provide a chance for the squads to upend defending champions Southeast Missouri.

Last year, reigning Freshman of the Year Amber Hughes won the 100-meter hurdles, besting her prelim time of 13.52 seconds with a 13.46 showing in the finals.

Sophomore Clairwin Dameus continued TSU’s impressive outing by placing first in the 400-meter hurdles (1:00.74), long jump (6.22 meters) and heptathlon (5,399 points).

In the final women’s events of the day, Dameus and Hughes helped take home the 4x400 (3:39.99) and 4x100 (45.05) titles while also breaking the old Ohio Valley Conference records.

Jerome Henderson started the Flying Tigers’ second day of the championship by winning the 100-meter dash after a run of 10.42 seconds and Michael Johnson extended the solid opening by placing fourth in the 400-meter (47.79).

In the 800-meter, Quamel Prince shaved nearly two seconds off of his preliminary time the day before to come in third in the finals (1:50.90).

The OVC Championship will begin Friday with the decathlon and conclude on Saturday with the 4x400 meter relays.

    Order of Events

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Update: The city of Charlotte has settled a lawsuit over the 2013 shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell (FAMU) for a record $2.25 million.

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The city of Charlotte has called a 12:30 p.m. press conference, apparently to announce a $2.25 million settlement in the lawsuit the 2013 police shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell .

Ferrell was shot numerous times by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Randall Kerrick in September 2013. Ferrell was unarmed, and Kerrick is scheduled to go to trial on a voluntary manslaughter charge in July. The officer’s attorneys say the shooting was tragic but justified.

The press conference, which will take place in the lobby of the Government Center, will include Mayor Dan Clodfelter and City Attorney Bob Hagemann.

Kerrick is the first CMPD officer charged with an on-duty shooting in at least three decades. Ferrell’s family filed suit in January 2014 against Kerrick, CMPD, and city and county government. The civil trial in federal court had been scheduled to start in November.

The family stands to receive an amount that is three times higher than the $700,000 settlement the city reached in January 2014 with the family of of a cellphone tower repairman fatally shot on the job by police in 2006.

On Sept. 14, 2013, Kerrick shot Ferrell 10 times from close range during a nighttime encounter in a northeast Mecklenburg neighborhood. The officer had three years experience at the time.

Ferrell, 24, had wrecked his car, losing his cellphone in the process, and had knocked on the door of a nearby home in an apparent effort to get help. He was a former Florida A&M football player who had moved to Charlotte to be with his fiancée. That night he had given a co-worker a ride home.

CONTINUE READING

Tech's Aubre Allen finds new hoops family at Lincoln

GEORGETOWN, Delaware -- Whenever he was on the floor, the Sussex Tech basketball team was better.

The 6-foot-3 senior point guard was one of the keys to the Ravens' playoff run and 9-10 season.

Aubre Allen shot, passed and rebounded on the floor for Tech and next winter he will be doing it for the Division II Lincoln University Lions.

"I'm very excited," Allen said. "Coach (John) Hill, coach (Scott) Barker and I have a very good relationship. I'm very excited because I feel like I've prepared myself my whole life to get to the next level. Not many kids get to play at the next level — I just feel I'm very blessed."

Ravens' head coach Steve Perry said Allen's versatility is what can give him success at the next level.

"One thing they noticed is he sees the floor well, handles the ball well with his height," Perry said. "You haven't really seen the best of Aubre. Once he gets some college experience and gets stronger, he's going to shine."

CONTINUE READING

Former FAMU basketball coach Johnson sues university

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Former Florida A&M basketball coach Clemon Johnson is suing the university for wrongful termination.

Johnson was fired in April of 2014 in the third year of a fouryear contract after leading the Rattlers to a 14-18 record in his final season. He was let go a week after Kellen Winslow was introduced as the school's new athletic director. Winslow resigned Dec. 15.

JOHNSON LAWSUIT

Johnson's annual salary was $150,000. Tallahassee attorney Tim Jansen is representing him.

"(Johnson) is not happy that he was terminated," Jansen said.

"As a pro athlete, he understands you can get cut. But when you have a contract for four years and they fire you, they pay you. They don't want to pay him."



CONTINUE READING

Alabama State Women's Basketball Reloads 2015-16 Squad

MONTGOMERY -- The 2015 Alabama State Women’s Basketball Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Champs has reloaded their 2015-16 team with more guns. Head Coach Freda Freeman-Jackson has signed five players along with two earlier commits.

The five new additions are Danielle Clark, Damya Toney, Victoria Harvey, Raven Russell and Elisiah Jones.

“I think my coaches and I have done a great job of recruiting this year,” Freeman-Jackson said. “We knew what we were looking for and we also know what it will take to continue a winning caliber program. Our focus is to continue what we did last year, but even better and these young ladies will assist us with that.”

Clark is a 5-8 transfer junior from the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Conference (GCAA). The sophomore guard was selected to the third team All-Region. She saw 27 games and started in 21. Clark scored a season high of 32 points against Pensacola State College back in November of 2014. The former Georgia Perimeter College player finished her season averaging 14 points per game and totaled 377 points for the season. She shot 30.9 percent from the field, 25.9 percent from around the 3-pt arch and was a 68 percent free throw shooter. The Douglasville, Ga. native will be majoring in sports management.

“Danielle is a type player that we call a SWACer,” said Freeman-Jackson. “When we went to see her play we saw that she was a caliber player, one that is experienced and she’s a three point shooter. We needed another shooter one that will be opposite of Kayla Tucker, so that we can stretch the defense and our post players will be able to have a more one on one type game. She not only brings great experience, but she brings size for us at the guard spot.”

“We have been looking for someone who can put the ball on the floor, can shoot the ball and can defend it, with Danielle being able to do all those things that will help us especially with us losing Tabitha Bradshaw. She should be able to step right in and take up that slack for us.”

Toney a Detroit, Michigan native from Paris Junior College will be joining ASU as a combo guard. She is a 5-6 junior college transfer who as a freshman, had a game high of 25 points in a win against Panola College in which, she made five three pointers in the game. In that same year she was named as a NJCAA Honorable Mention player. As a sophomore she averaged 15.3 pts per game and was a 70 percent free throw shooter. Toney had six 20+ points’ games this past season with a season high of 29 against Trinity Valley Community College.

“With Damya once again we talk about the experience factor,” Freeman-Jackson. “We know that Shamiyah Smith was a freshman point guard for us this past year and Damya Toney can play both guard positions and she will be able to bring that experience factor, having played two years at a junior college and we know that she can shoot the ball as well. Damya is also a good defensive player and she also can shoot the three ball. We will be looking for her to also assist with stretching the defense.”

“We are bringing these junior college transfers in not to sit but because of their experience. We feel like you can’t have too much experience. By us losing Bradshaw and Danielle Gazaway we really are going to be looking for people to fill up that back court so that’s why we brought Toney and Clark in.”

Along with the experienced players the Lady Hornets will have three new freshman faces along with the other two freshmen that have already signed.

Jones, who assisted in leading her high school team Belmont High School in Belmont, MS to a 31-4 record and a ninth MHSAA (Mississippi High School Athletic Association) 3A Girls State Championship, scored twenty points or more six times and averaged 15.5 points per game, 2.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. During her senior year she tallied 541 points playing in all 35 games.

“While I was out recruiting in Jackson, Miss. and we were looking for a complete guard that could do a little of everything, and they didn’t have to be a junior college transfer,” Freeman-Jackson said. “We were looking for a freshman, a kid that had size and Jones was that young lady that has a college body already and her mindset seemed to me ready for what we are looking for. She was a glue type player with her team as far as running the team. She could do a lot of things that I saw and I liked. Jones can really be a combo guard, because she can play both guard spots and I just like the way she handled the team.”

“Jones will bring that Danielle Ewert type of play to the guard spot. She’s physical and tough and she has that great size and those are some of the things that Ewert has and they both have a very high IQ when it comes to basketball.”

Alabama State women’s basketball has been consistent with recruiting local talent. Not only have they recruited these two young ladies in the early signing period; Tatyana Calhoun from Carver High School (Montgomery) and Zomoria Clark from Wetumpka High School. They have now picked up two Stanhope Elmore High School stand outs.

Victoria Harvey a 6-4, center averaged double-double figures during her senior campaign (14 point and 16 rebounds per game). Russell who scored 1,200 total career high school points as well as had eight or more 20 plus points games will be joining ASU as a guard/forward.

“Both Harvey and Russell came on their visit together and they both enjoyed visiting with us,” said Freeman-Jackson. “The thing about the both of them is that we’ve been watching them for a year or so and it was whether or not they could fit into what we are doing here at ASU.”

“Harvey has that size and the sky is the limit for her, because she has that college size body already. Her dad was an outstanding college ball player, which played for SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) foe Mississippi Valley Derrick Harvey. She has the best of both worlds she’s close to home but not really at home. I feel like Harvey will be a great fit for us here at ASU.”

“Raven is one of the best athletes in the state when it comes to female sports. She has a passion and love for college basketball and she has that high energy, that motor that reminds me of former player Taila Arrington. She plays 100 miles an hour and also has a good IQ for basketball. Once she defines all her skills she can play the guard/forward type spot and she will be able to guard anybody. Russell will come in and give us that boost and high energy level, which as a guard in the SWAC we need to be able to guard people in multiple positions.”

“We are so happy to have all these young ladies here at Alabama State University especially to add on to what we already have coming back. I think that this will make us a complete ball club. Not only with tweeners like Britney Wright, Ewert and Ashunti Spencer, but having that size of our centers that we have coming in (Calhoun, Clark and Harvey) this will give us a great front line.

The 2015-16 roster will be filled with different athletic components and a treat for the Lady Hornets basketball team fans.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Grambling legend Doug Williams will join Tampa Bay Bucs' Ring of Honor

TAMPA BAY, Florida -- Grambling legend Doug Williams will be inducted into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Ring of Honor, the team announced Wednesday.

The former quarterback and coach at Grambling joins Mike Alstott as the newest members of the Bucs' club. Williams will be honored during a Dec. 6 home game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Williams, a first-round pick in the 1978 NFL Draft, played for Tampa Bay from 1978-82 and later served as a personnel executive with the Bucs from 2004-08 and as the team's coordinator of pro scouting from 2009-10.

"I just want to say this is certainly a great day," Williams said Wednesday at a press conference in Tampa. "Somebody called me last night and said, 'How many times do you get an opportunity to be in two stadiums?' I don't know. But I don't know I got the opportunity to be in two stadiums (both the Tampa Bay Ring of Honor and Washington Ring of Fame). I certainly appreciate being here because this is where it all started."

CONTINUE READING

Alcorn Braves Ranked No. 20 in FCS Preseason Poll

LORMAN, Mississippi -- The Alcorn State football team has been nationally recognized as the no. 20th ranked team in the 2015 Sporting News FCS Preseason Poll.

Coach Hopson and the Braves finished the 2014 season with a 10-3 record while capturing their first SWAC Championship title and the 2014 Sheridian Broadcasting Network Sports Black College Football National Football Championship. The Braves were also honored with the BOXTOROW National Football Championship.

The full list of the top 25 poll is listed below.
Sporting News FCS Preseason Top-25 Poll

1. North Dakota State

2. Sam Houston State

3. Illinois State

4. Villanova

5. Eastern Washington

6. Coastal Carolina

7. Jacksonville State

8. Chattanooga

9. Montana State

10. Youngstown State

11. Northern Iowa

12. James Madison

13. Idaho State

14. Eastern Kentucky

15. Montana

16. Liberty

17. Stephen F. Austin

18. New Hampshire

19. Indiana State

20. Alcorn State

21. Southeastern Louisiana

22. Northern Arizona

23. South Dakota State

24. Charleston Southern

25. Eastern Illinois

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Rush reach NAIA quarterfinals for 4th straight year

Tushar Mandlekar and Manav Chakma are 11-0 in doubles vs. NAIA opponents this season.

MOBILE, Alabama -- Nikita Soifer and Tushar Mandlekar won in doubles and singles Wednesday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 5-0 men's tennis victory against Coastal Georgia in round of 16 at the NAIA National Championship.

The Gold Rush (13-7), seeded and ranked sixth, reached the quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive year. Xavier will play third-seeded and third-ranked Vanguard at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Soifer and Kyle Montrel concluded the doubles with a 9-8 (7-3) victory at the top flight against Robin Lucas and Daniel Rush. Soifer then clinched the dual with a 6-0, 7-5 victory against Lucas at No. 2 singles.

Mandlekar and Manav Chakma beat Erick Bermudez and Alejandro Aquilino 8-4 at No. 2 doubles, and Mandlekar beat Rush 6-2, 6-1 at No. 4 singles.

The singles victory was Mandlekar's team-leading 20th of the season. The sophomore also leads the Gold Rush with 18 doubles victories.

Xavier scored its other point at No. 3 doubles, where Kevin Chaouat and Adam Albrecht were first off the court with an 8-1 victory against Joel Hunter and Dent Law.

Of the four unfinished singles matches, Xavier led in three of them.

Coastal Georgia finished 11-7.

The shutout victory was Xavier's second in 13 dual matches at nationals. The other was 5-0 against Point Loma Nazarene in the 2012 round of 16.

Thursday's dual will be a rematch of March 30, when Vanguard won 6-3 at Costa Mesa, Calif. The Lions are 2-0 all-time at nationals against Xavier, winning 5-3 in the 2011 round of 16 and 5-2 in the 2013 quarterfinals.

All eight top-seeded men's teams advanced, including top-ranked and defending national champion Georgia Gwinnett. Vanguard defeated Bethany (Kan.) 5-0.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/

Memorial Celebration for Davey L. Whitney Sr. Set

BILOXI , Mississippi -- Memorial celebration for Alcorn State University legendary coach Davey L. Whitney, Sr. will be held at 6 pm on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the Morning Star Baptist Church, 1440 20th Street in Gulfport, Mississippi. Arrangements for Coach Whitney have been entrusted to Lockett Williams Mortuary, Inc., 2018 31st Avenue, Gulfport, Mississippi. Telephone number: 228-863-7712. Website address: www.lockettwilliams.com.

A memorial celebration service will also be held at Alcorn State University Saturday, June 6. For more information, contact Vice President for Institutional Advancement Marcus Ward at 601.877.6296 or Director of Athletics Derek Horne at 601.877.6500.

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU's Montrel receives ITA award for leadership, sportsmanship

MOBILE, Alabama -- For the second consecutive year, Kyle Montrel is a Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association NAIA award winner.

The Xavier University of Louisiana junior received the Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship and Award for the South Region during a Monday banquet honoring the teams which qualified for this week's NAIA National Championships.

Montrel is from Atlanta and a graduate of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. He plays No. 1 singles and doubles for Xavier, which is seeded sixth and has a first-round bye in the tournament. A left-hander, Montrel is ranked ninth in the NAIA in singles and 13th in doubles with Nikita Soifer.

The selection process required a letter from Montrel and an endorsement letter from his coach, Alan Green.

"Kyle has grown tremendously as a person, a student and a tennis player since his first day at Xavier," Green said. "He has been our hardest worker on and off the court. The members of our Xavier program have volunteered time teaching tennis to under-served youths in New Orleans, and Kyle has been a major participant in those outings."

Said Montrel, "I am surprised to win this award because there were so many other people that deserved it. But I am very happy to be recognized."

The Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship national winner was Missouri Valley College's Wesley Ng from the Central Region. The other region winners were Thommy Johansson of Northwestern Ohio in the East and Christian Wickenhauser of Concordia (Calif.) in the West.

Montrel is the second Gold Rush player to win the Ashe award in the South. Terry Richardson was honored in 2009.

A year ago, Montrel was chosen ITA NAIA South Region Player to Watch.

Xavier's Champions of Character recipients were Nour Abbes of the Gold Nuggets and Montrel.

The first dual matches for the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets at nationals will be Wednesday in the round of 16. The men will play Coastal Georgia or Asbury at 9 a.m., and women will play Oklahoma Baptist or SCAD Atlanta at 1 p.m. The tournament will begin Tuesday at Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/