NEW ORLEANS - The Xavier men's tennis team picked up an exciting win over an NCAA Division I opponent Friday afternoon, besting Nicholls State 4-3 in a thrilling match. 

Xavier (3-1) took the doubles point early in the day, and this point wound up the difference and the two teams split the singles matches, 3-3. 

In doubles action, the numbers 2 and 3 pairings of Martin Rivera and Gabriel Velez and Edilson Rosa and Emmanuel Jebutu were victorious. 

Rivera and Velez defeated Felipe Spagnuolo and Mateo De Los Santos 7-5, while Rosa and Jebutu bested Arthur Oliani and Mitchell Armbruster 7-6 (1).

In singles play, the Gold Rush got wins from No. 1 Nereo Suarez (6-3, 6-3 over Colin Tavares), Velez at No. 3 (6-3, 6-1 over Oliani), and Rosa at No. 6 (6-0, 7-5 over Mitchell Spence). 

Next up for Xavier will be a Monday visit to regional rival William Carey in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 

This figures to be a competitive match as XULA will enter ranked No. 11 in the nation and William Carey No. 7. Match time is scheduled for noon.