THIBODAUX, La. – Playing a man short, the Nicholls State University men's tennis team suffered its second straight loss with a 6-1 setback against Xavier (La.) on Sunday afternoon at the Colonel Tennis Complex.
 
Nicholls only fielded five players due to injuries, which resulted in a 1-0 deficit before the teams stepped on the court. The Gold Rush (3-2) took the doubles point by winning the No. 2 court and went on to claim four of the five completed singles matches.
 
"It was a tough day for the guys against a very solid Xavier team. We were playing with just five guys but came out strong and competed well," said Meenakshi Sundaram, Nicholls tennis head coach. "Doubles was good despite losing the point and we learned a lot about our games in singles as well, so we have to work on these things and move on. We have a tough match coming up against LSU and we should be ready to go. Overall, I am so proud of how we competed despite not having a full team."
 
With Xavier taking the No. 3 court by default in doubles, the Colonels needed to win both matches to tie the score heading into singles. Kieran Cronin and Oscar Reeve were able to win the No. 1 court, 6-4, but Max Sinn and Evan Karatzas came up short at No. 2.
 
In singles, Karatzas picked up a strong win in three sets over Kyle Montrel, who has been a first-team All-Louisiana player the last few seasons. They split the first two sets with each winning 6-4 before Karatzas took the third, 10-4. Sinn won the first set as well at No. 4, but was defeated in three sets by Tushar Mandlekar.
 
Cronin, Sam Meessen and Reeve all fell in straight sets at No. 2, 3 and 5, respectively.
 
Nicholls returns to the courts with a Friday-night matchup at LSU (Feb. 19). First serve at the LSU Tennis Complex is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
Xavier (La.) 6, Nicholls 1
Singles
1. Evan Karatzas (NICM) def. Kyle Montrel (XULA) 6-4, 4-6, 10-4
2. Karan Salwan (XULA) def. Kieran Cronin (NICM) 6-3, 6-4
3. Thomas Setodji (XULA) def. Sam Meessen (NICM) 6-1, 6-1
4. Tushar Mandlekar (XULA) def. Max Sinn (NICM) 1-6, 7-5, 10-6
5. Adam Albrecht (XULA) def. Oscar Reeve (NICM) 6-2, 6-3
6. Manav Chakma (XULA) def. No player (NICM), by default
 
Doubles
1. Kieran Cronin/Oscar Reeve (NICM) def. Kevin Chaouat/Thomas Setodji (XULA) 6-4
2. Karan Salwan/Kyle Montrel (XULA) def. Max Sinn/Evan Karatzas (NICM) 6-3
3. Tushar Mandlekar/Manav Chakma (XULA) def. Sam Meessen/No player (NICM), by default
 
Match Notes:
Xavier (La.) 3-2
Nicholls 1-2