Andrieu, Niculescu win and will meet Tuesday at XULA

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Xavier University of Louisiana’s Pierre Andrieu and Gabriel Niculescu won men’s singles consolation semifinal matches by identical scores Sunday at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association NAIA South Regional Championships, then headed home.

Andrieu eliminated SCAD Atlanta’s Patric Toren 6-0, 6-1, and Niculescu defeated Brewton-Parker’s Caleb Bellamy. The final was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. EDT Sunday, but XULA coach Alan Green opted to play the match at at 2 p.m. Tuesday at XULA Tennis Center because of a seven-hour drive home and classes resuming Monday.

It’s not the first time the South Regional experienced a venue change for final-round matches. It also happened in 2015 in New Orleans due to weather and travel considerations.

Andrieu and Niculescu both went 3-0 in the consolation bracket after losing in the main draw Friday.

The next XULA fall tournament will be the Battle of the Bayou (men only) Oct. 6-7 at Lafayette, La.