New Orleans, LA - The Hope International men's tennis team (5-7) fell 4-0 to the No. 8 Xavier University Louisiana Gold Rush to open the Dillard Tournament on Thursday morning on the road in New Orleans, LA. These games will count towards seeding for the Red River Conference Tournament that the men will be playing in as an associate member at the end of the season.

The Royals faced a tough matchup and couldn't overcome the Gold Rush as they dropped the doubles points first with Reid Lizardo and Yahia El Sheikh falling 6-2 and Kaito Henderson and Ricky Lizardo falling 6-2. Dylan Barrett and Thomas Folsom gave it their all in doubles with their game ending 4-4 since it was impossible for the Royals to win the best two out of three series.

The Royals tried to pickup a point in singles but were unable to do so as Elsheikh fell 6-2, 6-2 and despite a strong effort by Reid Lizardo he fell 6-1, 6-4 along with his brother Ricky Lizardo who lost 6-3, 6-2. Kento Henderson, Thomas Folsom and Dylan Barrett's matched ended early due to the Gold Rush clinching a 4-0 win.

The Royals will return to action tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM PT / 10:00 CT as they take on No. 23 Loyola in New Orleans, LA.