Rome, GA – The fifth-ranked University of the Cumberlands men's tennis team dropped a tightly contested 4-3 decision to No. 9 Xavier University of Louisiana on Friday morning in the opening match of the NAIA Blast-Off Tournament at the Rome Tennis Center. 

Xavier (La.) secured the early momentum by claiming the doubles point with wins at the top two positions. The Gold Rush took the No. 1 doubles match 6-3 over Darius Kuster and Gabriele Solda, before closing out the point with a 6-2 victory at No. 2 doubles against Jacopo Cianfarini and Mohammed Abuzed Saber. The No. 3 doubles match featuring Kesia Roi and Manuel Fernandez Guede was left unfinished. 

In singles play, the Patriots battled back and earned three victories, but it was not enough to overcome the early deficit. Thibaud Vivier picked up a point for Cumberlands at No. 4 singles after his opponent retired during the match. Gabriele Solda added another victory at No. 3 singles, rallying after dropping the opening set to win in three sets. Mohammed Abuzed Saber also secured a comeback win at No. 6 singles, bouncing back after losing the first set to take the final two. 

Xavier ultimately clinched the team victory with wins at the top two singles spots and at No. 5 singles. The deciding point came in a three-set battle at No. 5 singles where the Gold Rush prevailed 6-4 in the final set. 

The Patriots are back on the court on Saturday, March 14, where they will continue their match play in the NAIA Blast Off tournament. Their last match is against No. 11 Dillard with a 10:00 AM start time. 

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