NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's tennis has four All-Americans, its most ever in one season, on the NAIA's committee-selected team.
        The NAIA announced the awards Tuesday.
        XULA's Angela Charles-Alfred and Lailaa Bashir made the first team, and Kyra Akinnibi and Farah Baklouti were chosen to the second team. Together they helped the Gold Nuggets go 21-6 in dual matches, win Southern States Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and reach the national semifinals.
        During the fall Charles-Alfred and Bashir repeated as ITA Cup NAIA national doubles champion.
        This is a repeat All-America honor for Charles-Alfred, who made the second team in 2017-18 and was honorable mention in 2018-19, and Baklouti, a member of the 2018-19 first team.
        The Gold Nuggets' previous high for All-Americans in a season — honorable mentions not included — was three in 2012-13, 2013-14, 2017-18 and 2018-19.
        The NAIA did not select All-Americans a year ago because of the season-shortening COVID-19 pandemic. Still to be announced are the ITA's NAIA All-Americans — the top 20 singles players and top 10 doubles teams from the end-of-season rankings.