The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN freshman Jacobi Bain got his collegiate tennis career off to a great start with the Xavier University of Louisiana Gold Rush men’s team over the weekend.

Bain, 18, helped the Gold Rush men’s team in joining the Gold Nuggets women’s team ad they won HBCU National Championships team titles in the same season for the first time in Xavier University history.

While XULA outscored Jackson State 20-17 to capture the women’s title in College Park, Georgia, the Gold Rush captured the men’s crown with 18 points over Alcorn State, who finished as the runner-up with 15 points.

It was the third title for XULA men after they won the titles back-to-back in 2015 and 2016.

The tournament was not played in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a dual role for the Gold Rush, Bain teamed up with Juan Ramirez as the fourth seeds to reach the final in doubles, which will be completed at a later date against their Gold Rush teammates Guillermo Coires and Dedric Ray because of the rain at the XULA Tennis Center.

Bain, unseeded, also made it to the final in the C singles where he was scheduled to play against Morgan State’s Nihit Rawal, the top seed.

But because it rained out as well, he had to leave, they were crowned co-champions.

“It was a great experience. We won the team championships in both the men and women, so it was pretty good,” Bain said. “I felt like I got some experience in both doubles matches.

“I know in our semi finals match, I had a little bit of nerves going, but my partner was able to calm me down and helped us to get the win. So I am grateful for that. It was good.”

Having experienced the level of competition at college after spending the past two years at the Albany Tennis Academy, Bain said he just needs to be a little more consistent in playing his matches and he should be okay. “I feel like my game is there. I just need to brush up on a few things,” he stated. “I think once I can do that, I should have a pretty good showing.”

Bain and the Gold Rush will be back in action on October 3.

“I just have to remind myself that I am playing college tennis and I now have to be consistent,” he stated.

“I know I can play with these guys. I just have to touch up on a few things and I will be right there with them.”

As for his Gold Rush team-mates, Bain said he couldn’t ask for a better squad to help him get through his freshman year. He noted that coach Alan Green has made his transition from high school to college a successful one so far.

“I think we have a very good team,” he said. “One of the guys (Santiago Perez) won his singles title and he also teamed up to win doubles as well (in the A category). So the team is an amazing one and I’m just glad to be a part of it.”