ROME, Ga. — Xavier University of Louisiana's Santiago Perez defeated Tennessee Wesleyan's Valentin Popescu 6-4, 6-4 Thursday in the first round of men's NAIA singles of the ITA Cup tennis championships.
     Perez, a sophomore, is the No. 3 seed. He will play at 10 a.m. EDT Friday in the quarterfinals against San Diego Christian's Nick Nienhaus, who defeated Doane's Jorge Chevez 6-4, 6-2.