Hattiesburg, MS- William Carey men's tennis opened the 2010 season by dropping a 5-4 decision against  Xavier University Wednesday afternoon at Tatum Park.

The Gold Rush, ranked #14 in the NAIA preseason poll, dominated the Crusaders in doubles play taking match one 8-3 and match two 8-4. The Crusaders picked up one point in doubles play as the Gold Rush was unable to field a team in match three.  Carey evened the matches at 2-2 due the fact that match six was not contested. Xavier would go 4-2 as Sean Richardson defeated Devarus Walker 6-0, 6-4 and Hassan Abbas defeated Dominick Kardell 6-1, 6-0.

Carey closed to within 4-3 as  Anton Klochkov defeated Steffen Giles-Osborn 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 but Xavier Mikhail Vaval defeated Steven Georgian 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 to secure the win for the Gold Rush. In the final match Toni Gauta defeated Mario Myles, 7-5, 5-7, 10-6.

With the loss Carey drops to 0-1 on the season and 0-1 in GCAC play. Xavier improves to 3-1 overall and 3-0 in GCAC play.

The Crusaders are back in action on February 23rd as they take on Alcorn State University

Xavier (LA) vs William Carey
2/17/2010 - Hattiesburg, MS- Tatum Park

Doubles

Match 1: S. Giles-Osborn/ H. Abbas (XU) def. Anton Klochkov/ Dominick Kardell (WCU) 8-3
Match 2: M. Myles/ M. Vaval (XU) def. Devarus Walker/ Toni Gauta  (WCU)  8-4
Match 3: Steven Georgian/ Joe Otto (WCU) win by forfeit (no team)

 Singles

Match 1:  Anton Klochkov (WCU) def. S. Giles Osborn (XU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
Match 2:  H. Abbas (XU) def. Dominick Kardell (WCU)  6-1, 6-0
Match 3:  Toni Gauta (WCU) def. M. Myles (XU)  7-5, 5-7, 10-6 (tie breaker)
Match 4:  M. Vaval (XU) def.  Steven Georgian (WCU)  6-1, 2-6, 6-3
Match 5:  S. Richardson (XU) def.  Devarus Walker (WCU)  6-0, 6-4
Match 6.  Joe Otto (WCU) wins by forfeit (XU No. 6 player did not attend)
 
   # 14 Xavier:  5
             WCU:  4

Order of finish: Doubles -- 3, 1, 2. Singles -- 6, 5, 2, 1, 4, 3.