NEW ORLEANS, La. - Thursday, the Gold Nuggets demonstrated why they've risen to just outside the national Top 5, pushing past in-city rival and nationally ranked Dillard 4-0. 

Xavier (6-4), currently ranked No. 8 in the nation, cruised to victory over a strong side for the No. 16-ranked Bleu Devils. 

The Gold Nuggets got the doubles point after No. 1 duo Maja Brnic and McKenna Wheatley and No. 2 pair Ana Sabikova and Makai Sales defeated both of their respective opponents 6-0. 

In the singles matches, a clean sweep of the top 3 secured the win as Brnic defeated Weichiao Chen 6-4, 7-6(2) at No. 1, Wheatley defeated Nanami Fukushima 6-2, 6-1 at No. 2, and Sabikova defeated Haruka Homma 6-1, 6-1 at No. 3. 

XULA will not get much of a reprieve between top opponents. The Gold Nuggets return to action Saturday at noon with a home match against RRAC opponent and NAIA No. 17 Our Lady of the Lake.