The Loyola University New Orleans men's and women's tennis teams were swept 9-0 by local foe Xavier University this afternoon at the XU Tennis Center.
(New Orleans, La.) The Loyola University New Orleans men's and women's tennis teams were swept 9-0 by local foe Xavier University this afternoon at the XU Tennis Center. The Xavier women's team recently earned a No. 3 ranking in the NAIA Tennis Coaches' Preseason Poll, while the men garnered a No. 7 position.
Senior captain Meghan de Baroncelli faced possibly her toughest test of the season today, playing in the No. 1 singles position against the #1 ranked Nour Abbes of Xavier. de Baroncelli fought hard, winning two individual games, but ultimately fell to Abbes 6-1, 6-1. de Baroncelli then paired up with sophomore Alexa Mancuso in No. 1 doubles play, but fell to the #8 ranked team of Abbes and Carmen Nelson.
On the men's side, three Wolf Pack players took on nationally-ranked competitors. Sophomore Trivesh Singh competed for the Pack in the No. 1 singles spot, falling 6-0, 6-1 to #13 ranked Kyle Montrel. Sophomore Federico Mercado and freshman Ernesto de Diego also faced ranked opponents in #47 Nikita Soifer and #48 Tushar Mandlekar, respectively. Freshman Anthony Zaleski put up a fight against Xavier's Jeremiah Capdeville, but could not hold on, falling 6-3, 6-1. The No. 1 doubles team of F. Mercado and junior David Mayhall showed tremendous energy against Soifer and Mandlekar, but the Xavier duo overpowered the Wolf Pack pair.
Loyola will return to action on Tuesday, February 3 against NCAA Division I opponent University of New Orleans (UNO) at 3 p.m. at the UNO University Tennis Center.
Women's competition
Singles
1. #1 Nour Abbes (XU) def. Meghan de Baroncelli (LU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Carmen Nelson (XU) def. Alexa Mancuso (LU) 6-0, 6-0
3. #32 Brion Flowers (XU) def. Lauren Rosales (LU) 6-0, 6-0
4. Sha'Nel Bruins (XU) def. Madeline Smith (LU) 6-0, 6-0
5. Dasia Harris (XU) def. Wesley Dejoie (LU) 6-0, 6-0
6. Brandi Nelson (XU) def. No player (LU), by default
Doubles
1. #7 Nour Abbes/Carmen Nelson (XU) def. Meghan de Baroncelli/Alexa Mancuso (LU) 8-2
2. Brion Flowers/Sha'Nel Bruins (XU) def. Lauren Rosales/Madeline Smith (LU) 8-0
3. Dasia Harris/Brandi Nelson (XU) def. No player/No player (LU), by default
Men's Competition
Singles
1. #13 Kyle Montrel (XU) def. Trivesh Singh (LU) 6-0, 6-1
2. #47 Nikita Soifer (XU) def. Federico Mercado (LU) 6-0, 6-1
3. #48 Tushar Mandlekar (XU) def. Ernesto de Diego (LU) 6-0, 6-0
4. Jordan Harrell (XU) def. David Mayhall (LU) 6-0, 6-1
5. Adam Albrecht (XU) def. Ricardo Mercado (LU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Jeremiah Capdeville (XU) def. Anthony Zaleski (LU) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles
1. Nikita Soifer/Tushar Mandlekar (XU) def. Federico Mercado/David Mayhall (LU) 8-3
2. Kevin Chaouat/Adam Albrecht (XU) def. Ernesto de Diego/Ricardo Mercado (LU) 8-3
3. Kyle Montrel/Jordan Harrell (XU) def. Anthony Zaleski/Trivesh Singh (LU) 8-0
