NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Norfolk State women's tennis team dropped a 4-2 decision to Xavier University of Louisiana on Feb. 27 at the XULA Tennis Center in nonconference action.

Xavier claimed the early advantage by securing the doubles point. At No. 1 doubles, the Norfolk State pair of Ines Sabadie and Yuliya Yurkova battled closely but fell 7-6 (4) to McKenna Wheatley and Maja Brnic. The Gold Nuggets sealed the point at No. 2 doubles, where Elena Martinez Prado and Angelina Maniawska dropped a 7-5 decision to Ana Sabikova and Makai Sales. Norfolk State picked up a win at No. 3 doubles, as Kayla Kennedy and Regina Urbiola defeated Anais Yakan and Asadah Ma'at 6-1, but Xavier still took the doubles point to move ahead 1-0.

In singles play, the Spartans collected two points but were unable to overcome Xavier's advantage. Regina Urbiola delivered a strong performance at No. 3 singles, earning a straight-set victory over Ana Sabikova 6-2, 6-2 to get Norfolk State on the board. Irina Iurea added another point for the Spartans at No. 6 singles, defeating Makai Sales 6-1, 6-2.

Xavier secured the remaining singles victories to clinch the team win. At No. 1 singles, Yurkova fell to Maja Brnic 6-3, 6-4, while Elena Martinez Prado dropped a three-set battle to McKenna Wheatley 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 at No. 2 singles. The Gold Nuggets also captured the point at No. 4 singles, where Angelina Maniawska fell to Anais Yakan 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

The Spartans continued to battle late in the lineup as Sabina Iurea competed at No. 5 singles, but the match was decided as Xavier secured the fourth and final point to claim the 4-2 victory.