Marshall University Athletics
Tennis Ready for Florida State
5/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Tennis Ready for Florida State
5/14/2004
Marshall head coach John Mercer watches as his Thundering Herd practices for the final time before facing Florida State. |
NASHVILLE - The Marshall University women's tennis team completed preparations for its first round NCAA tournament match with Florida State University with a two-hour practice Friday at Vanderbilt University. The 55th-ranked Thundering Herd will take on the 27th-ranked Seminoles at 10:00 a.m. (Central Time), Saturday.
"Florida State is a good team. You don't finish third in the ACC if you are not a good team," Marshall head coach John Mercer said. "With that said, we are an experienced team and we have improved each of the last three years. If we play well, I think we will have a good opportunity to win the match."
With local forecasts calling for the chance of thunderstorms Saturday, Marshall spilt its practice time, between Vanderbilt's outdoor courts and the Commodores' Currey Indoor Tennis Facility. The Thundering Herd spent its two-hour workout Thursday entirely outdoors.
Marshall (22-4), winner of the last three Mid-American Conference Tournament Championships, will be looking for its first ever NCAA Tournament win. Marshall has lost its previous NCAA first round matches to Tennessee (2002) and South Alabama (2003). With a win over Florida State (17-7), Marshall would advance to Sunday's regional final to face the winner of the Vanderbilt-IUPUI first round match that is scheduled for 1 p.m. (CT) Saturday. The host Commodores are ranked third in the nation.
Live internet scoring for both of Saturday's first round contests and Sunday's regional final will be available on the women's tennis page of Vanderbilt's athletics website www.vucommodores.com, or by using the link above.
