HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Xavier University of Louisiana, ranked fifth in NAIA women's tennis, got doubles and singles victories from Valentina Largacha, Tianna Dixon and McKenna Wheatley in a 4-1 victory Wednesday against ninth-ranked William Carey.
        XULA is 7-3 and won for the seventh time in its last eight dual matches. The Gold Nuggets have five wins in the last 19 days against ranked NAIA opponents — two against top-10 teams.
        Dixon clinched with her 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 victory against Tiffany Chang on the fourth singles court. Dixon and Wheatley clinched the doubles point at No. 3 by beating Chang and Malak Abarkane 6-4.
        Largacha and Mbali Langa earned XULA's other doubles victory, 6-0 against Emelie Koch and Nina Westkamp on the first court.
        Largacha won 6-3, 6-1 against Sunny Logan at No. 5 singles, and Wheatley defeated Westkamp 6-1, 6-3 at No. 6.
        It was William Carey's season opener. The Gold Nuggets and Lady Crusaders will meet at noon April 1 at XULA.
        Next for the Gold Nuggets will be three matches in the LSUA Invitational at Alexandria and Pineville, La. Their schedule:
        •  2 p.m. Friday vs. Our Lady of the Lake at Pineville (Louisiana Christian University courts)
        •  11 a.m. Saturday vs. city rival Dillard at Alexandria Aquatic and Racquet Club
        •  2 p.m. Saturday vs. Texas Wesleyan at Alexandria Aquatic and Racquet Club