Results

        MOBILE, Ala. — Freshman Valaine Clarke's comeback victory Wednesday lifted Xavier University of Louisiana women's tennis to a 4-2 decision against Tennessee Wesleyan in the round of 16 at the NAIA National Championship tournament.
        The Gold Nuggets (14-14), ranked 11th and seeded seventh, will play Keiser in the quarterfinals at 1 p.m. CDT Thursday. The Seahawks (16-4), ranked and seeded second, defeated Union (Ky.) 4-0.
        Clarke trailed 5-1 in the third set before rallying for a 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 victory against Honoka Tsuji on the fourth singles court.
        "I proved something to the team, and I proved something to myself," Clarke said. "This season has been tough on me. I've had a lot of tough losses. There was a time when I did not believe in myself and did not think I was a good enough player. But I'm proud of myself after today, and now I feel like I'm on top of the world."
        Tennessee Wesleyan (15-4), ranked seventh and seeded 10th, won the doubles point after trailing 5-1 in the deciding match, then led 2-0 after a victory at No. 6 singles. But XULA stormed back with victories from, in order, Kareemah Muhammad on court one, Juliette Finch on court two, Valentina Largacha on court five and Clarke to advance to the quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive season.
        "I'm so proud of our players like you wouldn't believe. They deserved this victory," XULA head coach Alan Green said. "This played out like a movie because of all the drama and suspense. We looked like we were on our way to winning the doubles point, only to give up a big lead and lose it. We were in good shape on most of the singles courts, but it was a struggle because Tennessee Wesleyan played hard and wanted to win."
        XULA and Keiser will meet for the first time since the Seahawks' 4-3 victory in the 2021 NAIA semifinals.