NEW ORLEANS - The Xavier women's tennis team faced a spirited challenge from visiting Missouri Baptist here Thursday, but the Gold Nuggets ultimately prevailed 5-2 in a non-conference match. 

The day got off to a great start, as XULA, 10-5 and ranked No. 4 in the country, stormed through the doubles matches to earn the point.

Maja Brnic and McKenna Wheatley defeated Melissa Jangarasheva and Yvonne Shannon 6-2 in the No. 1 match, while Ana Sabikova and Makai Sales defeated Lucia Rubio and Mariana Azevedo 6-1 at No. 2. 

When the singles matches started, both Xavier and Missouri Baptist (5-7) made some switches to their normal lineup. The alterations did not slow XULA down as Wheatley, who was called into service as No. 1 from her normal No. 2 singles position after Brnic retired, defeated Shannon 6-2, 6-0. 

That change caused all Xavier players to be moved up a position, and for Mia Edwards to be used as the Gold Nuggets' No. 6. 

Sabikova went on to defeat Bissola Lassissi 6-3, 6-1 at No. 2, Anais Yakan defeated Jocelynn Carmody 6-1, 6-1 at No. 3, and Laura Lopez defeated Jangarasheva 4-6, 6-4, 10-7 at No. 5. 

Xavier gets a one-day break before returning to action for a Red River Athletic Conference match against LSU-Shreveport Saturday at 10 a.m.