JACKSON, Miss.- The Belhaven men's and women's tennis teams hosted Xavier University (LA) on Saturday afternoon with the women taking on LSU-Shreveport Saturday night. The Xavier women came into the day ranked 3rd and the men 6th in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Polls. Xavier topped Belhaven on the women's side 5-0, but the Belhaven men held on for a 5-4 victory over Xavier.

In women's doubles, the Blazers Katie Campbell (BU) and Stephanie Smith were defeated 0-8 against Nour Abbas and Kourtney Howell (XU). Mary Lichlyter and Rachel Jeffocoat (BU) fell 4-8 to Brion Flowers and Simone Ewell (XU). Elzabeth Chrestman and Brittany Keeling (BU) lost 1-8 to Amber Brown and Brandi Nelson (XU).

The singles portion of the match lasted just two sets as Simone Ewell (XU) def. Rachel Jeffcoat (BU) 0-6,0-6 and Shanel Bruin (XU) def. Elizabeth Chrestman 1-6, 0-6
(XU).

"Mary and Rachel's match was a best and most complete doubles match", said Head Coach Levi Patton. "Those two played really well together tonight."

In men's doubles, Kyle Montrel and Nikita Soifer (XU) topped Andre Borghi and Nikita Lisov (BU) 5-8. Jefferson Nino and Enrico Patriarca (BU) defeated Tusher Mandlekar Viktor Sroboda (XU) 8-5. Jordan Harrell and Tusher Mandlekar (XU) defeated Daniel Prado and David Mejia (BU) 8-9 (4-7).

In men's singles, the Blazers dropped their first two sets against the Gold Nuggets, but Jefferson Nino then defeated Tusher Mandlehkar 6-3, 6-0, Daniel Prado got past Victor Sroboda 6-4, 6-4 and David Mejia kept the match alive by upending Adam Albrecht 6-4, 6-2.

After Andrea Borghi fell to Kyle Montrel 6-3, 4-6, 6-7, (3-7), the Blazers were tied at 4-4 with the Gold Nuggets. It came down to the final match between Enrico Patriarca and Jordan Harrell. Patriarca rose to the challenge and sealed the victory for the Blazers with a 7-5, 6-2 defeat of Harrell.

"After Andre Borghi lost his match, all the pressure fell on Enrico, but he delivered for us!" said Patton.

After the Belhaven women's team suffered the loss to Xavier University, they bounced back with an impressive 9-0 victory over LSU-Shreveport.

In the Women's doubles, Stephanie Smith and Katie Campbell defeated Katie Pourclau and Jaynie Stewart 8-0. Mary Lichlyter and Rachel Jeffcoat got past Kelsey Ellender and Savanna Sweat 8-0 followed by an Elizabeth Chrestman and Brittany Keeling victory against Hannah Ingerson and Hanna Hough 8-1.

In women's singles, the Stephanie Smith defeated Katie Pourclau 6-2, 6-0. Katie Campbell shut out Hannah Ingerson 6-0, 6-0. Mary Lichlyter blanked Jaynie Stewart 6-0, 6-0. Rachel Jeffcoat flew past Kelsey Ellender 6-0, 6-0. Ashley McLendon defeated Savanna Sweat 6-1, 6-0 and Ellen Scott edged Hanna Hough 6-4, 6-1

The Belhaven men and women will travel to Pineville, La to take on the Louisiana College Tuesday afternoon. The matches are set for 4:00 PM.

Xavier Match Scores

Women's
Doubles
Abbas/Howell (XU) def. Campbell/Smith 0-8
Flowers/Ewell (XU) def. Lichlyter/Jeffcoat 4-8
Brown/Nelson (XU) def. Chrestman/Keeling 1-8

Singles
Simone Ewell def. Rachel Jeffcoat 0-6,0-6
Shanel Bruin def. Elizabeth Chrestman 1-6, 0-6

Rest DNF

Men's
Doubles
Montrel/Soifer def. Lisov/Nino 5-8
Borghi/Patriarca def. Chaouat/Svoboda 8-5
Harrell/Madlekar def. Prado/Mejia 8-9 (4-7)

Singles
Kyle Montrel def Andre Borghi 6-3, 4-6, 6-7, (3-7)
Nikita Soifer def. Nikita Lisov 3-6, 2-6
Jefferson Nino def. Tusher Mandelkar 6-3, 6-0
Daniel Prado def. Victor Sroboda 6-4, 6-4
David Mejia def. Adam Albrecht 6-4, 6-2
Enhico Patriarca def Jordan Harrell 6-4, 6-4