PENSACOLA, Fla.-  Despite a surge in the latter stages of the match, the No. 2 UWF Women's Tennis (23-3, 11-0) were unable to overcome NAIA's No. 3 Xavier University of Louisiana (16-7), dropping a 5-3 decider at the Ralph "Skeeter" Carson Tennis Complex.

After this match, the Golden Nuggets uphold a 13 match-winning streak, while the Argos fall for the second time this weekend.

The Argos began this battle between two highly ranked universities on the upper hand as Jordana Lujan and Samantha Echevarria powered past Ancar and Baklouti 8-2 on court 3. The Golden Nuggets quickly responded by securing points from courts 1 and 2.

Xavier continued to build on this 2-1 lead after doubles, and they added two more points from courts 1 and 3 to advance 4-1. The No. 2 Argos refused to go down without a fight, and the tides began to turn after Diana Vlad cruised past Baklonti 6-3, 6-3 on court 5. Senior Echevarria narrowed the gap even more after coming back from a break down in the first set to win the match 6-4, 6-3 on court 4. The passion from both Mixon and No. 57 Nicault was evident as each player bounced back from dropping the first set to take the second set, forcing a deciding set to determine the winner. Nicault gave her all in the final set, but #9 Goreau relentlessly took control and clinched the match for Xavier. Although Mixon was only one game away from winning her match on court 6, the match was halted.

The Argos will next travel to Montgomery, Alabama for the Gulf South Conference Championships. UWF enter as the top seeds, and they will take on No. 8 Alabama Huntsville in the opening round at the Lagoon Tennis Center.