Gold Rush Ranked Sixth in NAIA for Fifth Consecutive Time

JORDAN HARRELL

NEW ORLEANS — You've seen this before: Xavier University of Louisiana is No. 6 in the NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

It's the fifth consecutive poll that the Gold Rush (12-7) hold that ranking. It's nothing new for the XU men, who spent five consecutive polls at No. 9 in 2012 and five in a row at No. 24 in 2008.

Xavier isn't the only top-10 team that hasn't moved lately. Georgia Gwinnett, Embry-Riddle (Fla.) and Lindsey Wilson have ranked 1-2-5 in all seven polls this season.

The XU men are in the top 25 for the 66th consecutive time — that streak began April 4, 2007 — and in the top 10 for the 36th consecutive time.

The NAIA will unveil new rankings at 4 p.m. CDT Monday, then announce one hour later the 24 qualifiers for the NAIA National Championships at Mobile, Ala. Xavier has no remaining duals before the bracket announcement, and the Gold Rush likely will receive one of nine at-large bids. The national tournament will be played May 12-16.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll
First-place votes in parentheses -- records through April 26

RANK PREVIOUS SCHOOL W-L POINTS
1 1 Georgia Gwinnett (13) 12-2 343
2 2 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 18-3 329
3 3 Vanguard (Calif.) 25-1 320
4 4 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) 19-5 313
5 5 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 19-1 299
6 6 Xavier (La.) 12-7 288
7 7 Northwestern Ohio 18-5 277
8 9 San Diego Christian (Calif.) 14-7 263
9 10 William Carey (Miss.) 13-6 257
10 11 Concordia (Calif.) 12-9 241
11 12 Coastal Georgia 11-7 229
12 13 Northwood (Fla.) 10-2 215
13 13 Westmont (Calif.) 10-14 204
14 8 Bethany (Kan.) 11-1 186
15 17 Dalton State (Ga.) 10-7 183
16 16 Graceland (Iowa) 12-3 174
17 25 McPherson (Kan.) 16-5 170
18 19 Campbellsville (Ky.) 15-5 165
19 15 Belhaven (Miss.) 16-4 155
20 18 Oklahoma Baptist 10-7 139
21 RV Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) 20-7 116
22 RV Reinhardt (Ga.) 11-3 99
23 20 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) 4-10 94
24 23 Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 12-6 84
25 23 SCAD Savannah (Ga.) 6-7 77
Others Receiving Votes: Davenport (Mich.) 52; Tennessee Wesleyan 51; Indiana Wesleyan 49; Aquinas (Mich.) 35; Martin Methodist (Tenn.) 34; Marian (Ind.) 17; Middle Georgia State 4; Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) 4; Biola (Calif.) 3; St. Thomas (Fla.) 3; Asbury (Ky.) 3.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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ASU Golden Rams defeat Stillman to win SIAC championship

Columbia, South Carolina -- Sophomore Jeremy Arrington recorded three hits and two RBIs to lead the Albany State Golden Rams to 2015 SIAC Baseball Championship with a 9-5 victory over Stillman College. With the win, ASU wins its first SIAC title since 2010.

The Golden Rams, who started the season with a 1-16 overall record, improve to 20-32 overall. Albany State receives an automatic bid to the 2015 NCAA Regional Playoffs, which will be held May 14-17. Opponents and sites will be determined on May 10.

Stillman, winners of the last four SIAC championships, ends its season at 14-21.

Albany State opened its scoring in the top of the second inning when Arrington's single scored Hector Carrasquillo, who smashed a double to get on base. Ryan Latner hit a single of his own to send Arrington to the plate, and the Golden Rams led 2-0. Stillman scored its first run in the bottom of the inning to cut its deficit to 2-1.

In the third inning, Arrington smashed a double to score Carrasquillo to increase the Golden Rams' edge to 3-1. Arrington then scored on a Tiger error, and ASU held a 4-1 advantage. Stillman answered in the bottom of the inning once again, scoring two runs to bring the score to 4-3.

Albany State got a little breathing room in the top of the fourth. Jonatan Galan nailed a single to left field, and Emmanuel Santos went home for the score. ASU led 5-3 until a Stillman run in the bottom of the sixth inning brought the score back within one at 5-4.

In the top of the seventh inning, Galan scored on an error by the Stillman catcher for a 6-4 lead. The Tigers answered in the same stanza with another run, and the score stood at 6-5.

The eighth inning featured the play of the game. Golden Rams had two outs, but Stillman had a runner at third ready to tie the game. The Tigers' Pablo De Armas belted a hit over the second base. Ryan Latner threw his body in front of the ball and flipped it to Terrance Worthy to get Albert Rafael out at second base.

That one play sparked Albany State for the final inning. After Worthy hit a double, Carrasquillo followed with a single to send him home. Two batters later, Sable Gilliard belted a two-run double to give his team a 9-5 advantage and provide insurance runs. The Golden Rams recorded three straight outs in the bottom of the stanza to secure the title.

Latner, Santos and Carrasquillo each had two hits for the Golden Rams. Gilliard added two RBIs. Cullen Coulter was the winning pitcher, and Sahir Fersobe was credited with the save.

ASU collected 12 hits with only one error.

Galan was named the Most Valuable Player for the tournament. Outfielder Reise McDaniel and pitcher DeMarkus Green were also named to the all-tournament team.

2015
SIAC Baseball All-Tournament Team
Tuskegee Danny Barnes
Claflin Reginald Rogers
Benedict David White Jr.
Miles Justin Bartley
Miles Justin Langdale
Stillman Hunter Hood
Stillman Paul Winterbottom
Albany State DeMarkus Green
Albany State Reise McDaniel
Albany State Jonatan Galan (Most Valuable Player)

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Gold Nuggets No. 5 in NAIA After Climbing Two Places

CARMEN NELSON
5'-7"Senior
Hometown: Jonesboro, Georgia

NEW ORLEANS — For the first time since March 3, Xavier University of Louisiana made a move in the NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The Gold Nuggets are No. 5 after climbing two places Tuesday.

The Gold Nuggets (15-9) passed Embry-Riddle (Fla.) and Brenau, both of whom lost to lower-ranked NAIA opponents since the previous poll. Xavier's only dual match since March 31 was a Sunday loss at West Florida, ranked eighth in NCAA Division II. The Nuggets closed March with four consecutive road victories against NAIA teams ranked 11-24.

Embry-Riddle remained sixth, and Brenau — a 5-4 neutral-site winner Feb. 23 against Xavier — fell from third to eighth. Xavier had spent the previous four polls at No. 7 after ranking third in the season's first two polls.

The XU women are in the top 25 for the 28th consecutive time and in the top 10 for the 22nd consecutive time.

The NAIA will unveil new rankings at 4 p.m. CDT Monday, then announce one hour later the 24 qualifiers for the NAIA National Championships at Mobile, Ala. Xavier has no remaining duals before the bracket announcement, and the Nuggets likely will receive one of nine at-large bids. The national tournament will be played May 12-16.

NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll
First-place votes in parentheses -- records through April 26

RANK PREVIOUS SCHOOL W-L POINTS
1 1 Georgia Gwinnett (11) 8-6 342
2 2 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) (2) 19-4 333
3 4 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 15-7 317
4 5 SCAD Savannah (Ga.) 14-4 308
5 7 Xavier (La.) 15-9 301
6 6 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 13-5 283
7 18 William Carey (Miss.) 12-7 278
8 3 Brenau (Ga.) 12-5 266
9 8 Northwood (Fla.) 8-6 263
10 12 Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) 21-2 237
11 14 Concordia (Calif.) 12-11 223
12 10 Oklahoma Baptist 11-7 204
12 9 Arizona Christian 22-2 204
14 15 Northwestern Ohio 17-6 198
15 16 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) 7-12 197
16 13 Evangel (Mo.) 10-3 196
17 19 Vanguard (Calif.) 8-16 147
18 20 Cumberland (Tenn.) 12-8 145
19 17 Graceland (Iowa) 8-3 142
20 11 Westmont (Calif.) 13-9 136
21 21 Davenport (Mich.) 16-10 113
22 RV LSU-Alexandria (La.) 10-2 107
23 22 Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 16-7 106
24 24 Southeastern (Fla.) 12-5 94
25 23 Coastal Georgia 9-7 86

Others Receiving Votes: Indiana Wesleyan 67, Aquinas (Mich.) 35, St. Thomas (Fla.) 31, Missouri Valley 28, Campbellsville (Ky.) 24, SCAD Atlanta (Ga.) 18, McPherson (Kan.) 18, Marian (Ind.) 16, Reinhardt (Ga.) 3

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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Xavier honors its student-athletes at annual awards banquet

NEW ORLEANS — Eight Xavier University of Louisiana student-athletes, including seniors Chinedu Echebelem (women's volleyball), Kwame Jackson (men's cross country) and Catherine Fakler (women's track and field), received most valuable player awards Monday evening during XU's 2014-15 athletics awards banquet at the University Center.

     

The event honored all nine XU teams.
     

The other MVPs were Whitney Gathright and Donyeah Mayfield in women's basketball, Christopher August in men's track and field, Hannah Finnegan in women's cross country, Kyle Montrel in men's tennis and Nour Abbes in women's tennis. Men's basketball does not pick an MVP, but seniors Sydney Coleman and Anthony Goode were presented the Rock Award for resiliency.
     

Senior student-athletes and managers received watches.
    

 Here are all the winners of major awards:

     Women's Volleyball
     Offensive Player of the Year:  Claudia Haywood
     Defensive Player of the Year:  Darian Harris
     Coach's Award:  Jodi Hill
     Scholar-Athlete Award:  Ralitsa Hadzhistoyanova
     Most Valuable Player:  Chinedu Echebelem
     Most Improved:  Jada Broussard

     Women's Basketball
     Best Offensive Player:  Whitney Gathright
     Best Defensive Player:  Emoni Harvey
     Most Improved:  Trana Hopkins
     Most Valuable Player:  (tie) Whitney Gathright and Donyeah Mayfield
     Academic Award:  Alesha Smith

     Men's Basketball
     Most Improved:  Gary Smith
     Best Rebounder:  Jarvis Thibodeaux
     Assist Leader:  Morris Wright
     Student-Athlete of the Year:  Jarvis Thibodeaux
     Rock Award:  (tie) Sydney Coleman and Anthony Goode

     Men's Cross Country
     Freshman of the Year:  Xaiver Latting
     Most Improved:  Christopher August
     Hardest Worker:  Christopher August
     Most Valuable Player:  Kwame Jackson

     Men's Track and Field
     Freshman of the Year:  Joseph Moses III
     Most Improved:  Langston Adams
     Hardest Worker:  Joseph Moses III
     Most Valuable Player:  Christopher August

     Women's Cross Country
     Freshman of the Year:  Carlie Calais
     Most Improved:  Hannah Finnegan
     Hardest Worker:  Catherine Fakler
     Most Valuable Player:  Hannah Finnegan

     Women's Track and Field
     Freshman of the Year:  Clarke Allen
     Most Improved:  Chelsea James
     Hardest Worker:  Clarke Allen
     Most Valuable Player:  Catherine Fakler

     Women's Tennis
     Scholar-Athlete:  Jordyn Goody
     Newcomer of the Year:  Caroline Vernet
     Most Improved:  Carmen Nelson
     Coach's Award:  Carmen Nelson
     Sportsmanship:  Nour Abbes
     Most Valuable Player:  Nour Abbes

     Men's Tennis
     Scholar-Athlete:  Jeremiah Capdeville
     Newcomer of the Year:  Manav Chakma
     Most Improved:  Tushar Mandlekar
     Coach's Award:  Kevin Chaouat
     Sportsmanship:  Tushar Mandlekar
     Most Valuable Player:  Kyle Montrel
 

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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Jay Butler Named Head Men's Basketball Coach at VUU

RICHMOND, Virginia  -- Lester "Jay" Butler, Jr., was named the 10th Head Coach in the history of Virginia Union University men's basketball at a press conference at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, in the lecture hall of the L. Douglas Wilder Library on the VUU campus in Richmond, Virginia.



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SC State To face Duke in First-Round of NCAA Tennis Championships

NCAA MEN'S TENNIS BRACKET

DURHAM, North Carolina — The South Carolina State Bulldogs will play host to 10th seed Duke, in the opening round of the 64-team championship field of the NCAA Division I Team Tennis Championship Saturday, May 8-9 at the Amber Tennis Stadium.

The Bulldogs (14-4) earned their 8th consecutive and 13th overall appearance to the NCAA Tennis Championship, while capturing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular season title and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA field.

The Blue Devils (22-6) have qualified for the last 23 NCAA Championships and will host their sixth straight regional. Duke owns an all-time NCAA Championship record of 43-24 and has advanced as far as the quarterfinals, reaching the round of eight in 1993, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2012, and 2013.

The two teams have met only once in school history, with Duke winning 4-0 (May, 13, 2005) at the NCAA Regional in Durham.

The first match begins Friday, May 8, between Tennessee and Stanford at 10 a.m. (EST), followed by Duke and South Carolina State at 1 p.m. The winners of the two matches will face each other Saturday, May 9, at 1 p.m.

The 16 regional champions will head to the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas, to compete for the NCAA Men's Tennis Title May 14-19.

All matches at the Duke regional will be streamed live for free on the Blue Devil Network. For more information go to www.goduke.com .

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NY Urban League Cancels 2015 Football Classic

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- The New York Urban League has informed officials at Morgan State University that the scheduled New York Urban League Classic between the Bears and the Howard University Bison has been canceled.

The game, originally scheduled and marketed by the schools for Sept. 26 at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ., will not be played this year.

Officials from the New York Urban League told the schools that they hope a 2016 edition will be played, in a letter dated April 4 and distributed to Morgan State alumni.

This would have been the 43rd edition of the game featuring Howard University against Morgan State. The NYUL Classic website reports that "since its inception", proceeds from the game have helped raise over $20 million in scholarships awarded to nearly 4,000 college bound students.

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has ruled that the return to campus of this game will be at Howard University's Greene Stadium.

2015 MSU Football Schedule

Date		Opponent	Location	Time
9/5/2015		Air Force Academy	USAF Academy, CO
9/12/2015		Illinois State University	Normal, IL	6:30 p.m.
9/19/2015		Virginia-Lynchburg		4 p.m.
9/26/2015	*	Howard University	Washington, DC
10/3/2015	*	Delaware State University	Dover, DE
10/10/2015	*	Savannah State University		4 p.m.
Homecoming
10/17/2015	*	Hampton University		1 p.m.
10/24/2015	*	North Carolina Central University	Durham, NC
11/7/2015	*	Bethune-Cookman University	Daytona Beach, FL
11/14/2015	*	Florida A&M Universi		1 p.m.
11/21/2015	*	Norfolk State University		1 p.m.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION