Box Score NEW ORLEANS, La. – For the second time this season, the William Woods University women's tennis team defeated a ranked opponent. This time the Owls defeated No. 14 Xavier University, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon.
 
"I am pleased with our performance today against Xavier," stated head coach Lauren Meier. "The girls' did everything I asked them to do and improved on from yesterday and for that I was very proud. Unfortunately we had to call the match at five, but were showing positive results on the final two matches so I feel confident we would have pulled those out."
 
The Owls claimed two points out of three in doubles action on Sunday against the Gold Nuggets. Playing No. 2 doubles, Abigail Lemberger and Julia Mulder scored the first point of the match for the Owls as they took the match, 8-4, over Jana van der Walt and Tess Guarino.
 
The Owls followed by taking No. 1 doubles putting William Woods ahead 2-0. Chelsea Steward and Alba Salinas defeated Charlene Goreau and Brandi Nelson, 8-6.
 
Felicia Cesar and Paige Smith put up a battle in No. 3 doubles as they dropped the match, 9-7, against Dasia Harris and Sha'Nel Bruins. After doubles action, the Owls led 2-1 over Xavier.
 
The Gold Nuggets tied the match at 2-2 after winning No. 1 singles as Goreau defeated Paige Smith, 6-0, 6-1.
 
WWU regained the lead after winning in No. 2 singles, where Karyna Sagalai defeated Nelson. After a hard fought first set, Sagalai claimed out on top winning 7-5. Sagalai did not let the second set get as close as she won 6-2.
 
Chelsea Steward won No. 4 singles as she defeated Jana van der Walt. Steward won the first set, 6-3, before winning the second set, 6-1, putting the Owls ahead 4-2.
 
Julia Mulder clinched the win for the Owls as she won in No. 6 singles. Mulder defeated Guarino, 6-3, 6-1. The win for the Owls was the second win over a ranked team this season as they defeated then-No. 23 Evangel.
 
In no. 3 singles Alba Salinas and Sha'Nel Bruins did not finish. Salinas dropped set one 6-3, before rebounding taking set two, 6-4, and third set was tied at 1-1 before being called. The other match that did not finish was No. 5 singles, which Cesar was leading Dasia Harris. Cesar took set one, 7-5 and led 1-0 in the second set before being called.
 
The Owls return to action on Friday, March 11 when they travel to Godfrey, Illinois to face Lewis & Clark Community College. Match starts at 2 p.m.