ROME, Ga. - The Xavier men's tennis team keeps registering big wins and, on Friday, began its appearance at the 2026 NAIA Blast Off Tournament by defeating nationally ranked Cumberlands (Ky.) 4-3 in a thrilling match. 

XULA (9-4), which is currently ranked No. 4 in the NAIA, engaged in its most competitive match of the year with the No. 3 Patriots (10-5). 

The Gold Rush took the doubles point with wins at No. 1 by Nereo Suarez and Christian Sanchez and No. 2 by Emmanuel Jebutu and Edilson Rosa. 

Suarez and Sanchez defeated Gabriele Solda and Darius Kuster 6-3, while Jebutu and Rosa defeated Mohammed Abuzed Saber and Jacopo Cianfarini 6-2. 

The singles matches can best be described as a series of epic struggles replete with tiebreak sets. 

Suarez defeated Kuster 7-6(3), 6-1 at No. 1, and that was the closest XULA came to getting a comfortable win. 

At No. 2, Sanchez defeated Cianfarini 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-2, and at No. 5, Rosa defeated Kesia Roi 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. 

Xavier concludes its Blast Off appearance Saturday with a game against another top team, No. 6 Tennessee Wesleyan.