Marshall University Athletics
Herd Finishes Strong at W&M Invitiational
9/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Sept. 17, 2006
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WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The Marshall Thundering Herd tennis team completed a successful final day at the William and Mary Invitational Sunday.
Leading the Herd was 110th-ranked Kellie Schmitt who took third place in the tournament's Flight A singles. Schmitt bested the nation's No. 38 player Inga Beerman of Virginia Tech, 6-3, 6-3 in straight sets.
Marshall head coach John Mercer said Schmitt's victory was a great accomplishment.
"Kellie really went after it and played loose," he said. "It was a really big victory over a highly ranked player."
Schmitt's loss of the first day was her only blemish in singles. Mercer said the win for third place was a hard-earned one.
"Her hard work has really paid off for her," he said. It doesn't really get much better than winning three out of four in a tournament like this."
Schmitt and doubles partner Lynzee Kever took fifth place by defeating Maryland's top team, 8-3.
"There were a lot of really good teams at this tournament," Mercer said. "It was great to see us bounce back from the first day. We were really improving as we went along and that's what we really wanted to see."
With many of the top teams on the East Coast, Marshall more than held its own when play was complete. The Herd managed to take three first place finishes, three third places, two fouth place and one fifth place at the tournament.
"We had a good weekend," Mercer said. "And it kept getting better which was a very good sign."
Anna Volkova took her second top finish of the weekend, but today's win was in doubles with partner Yulia Kashelkina. The two won the Flight C doubles competition 8-5 over the Richmond duo.
Kashelkina also took third place in Flight E singles by defeating Brooke Rogers of Maryland 6-4, 6-3. Mercer said her play was really beginning to blossom.
"Yulia keeps getting better every match," he said. "She is really starting to see the whole court.
Also picking up a top finish for the Herd was Karolina Soor. She won the Flight D singles over Virginia's Britney Larson, 1-6, 6-2, 6-4. Mercer said he was proud of Soor's accomplishment.
"Karolina had a great weekend," he said. "She really gave a great effort. She really earned it. We are excited about her improvement over the summer and it's obvious by her play this weekend."
Also on the doubles side for the Herd Soor and partner Thaddea Lock took third in Flight B. Mercer said the entire squad's doubles play was admirable.
"I thought our doubles went really well," he said. "We played really well and as a team. Our doubles wins were really good. We just wanted everyone to give everything they have and we got that effort from them."
The Herd tennis team will be back in action at the ITA All-American in Los Angeles at the Riviera County Club.
Flight A Singles Consolation Final (at Busch Courts) #110 Kellie Schmitt (Marshall) def. #38 Inga Beermann (Virginia Tech) - 6-3, 6-3
Flight B Singles Consolation Final (at Busch Courts) Brooke Beier (Purdue) def. #105 Lynzee Kever (Marshall) - 6-3, 6-1
Flight C Singles Consolation Draw (at Dillard) Rachel Wilhelm (Arkansas) def. Jeanne Schwartz (Marshall) - 6-2, 6-4
Flight D Singles Finals (at Busch Courts) Karolina Soor (Marshall) def. Brintney Larson (Virginia) - 1-6, 6-2. 6-4
Flight E Singles Third-Place Match (at Caf Courts) Jessica Hubbard (Richmond) def. Jessica Keener (Marshall) - 6-4, 6-2
Consolation Finals (at Caf Courts) Yulia Kashelkina (Marshall) def. Brooke Rogers (Maryland) - 6-4, 6-3
Flight A Doubles Fifth-Place Match (at Busch Courts) Kever Schmitt (Marshall) def. Baker/Peters (Maryland) - 8-3
Flight B Doubles Consolation Finals (at Busch Courts) Lock/Soor (Marshall) def. Duran/Vosters (Richmond) - 8-6
Consolation Semifinals (at Busch Courts) Duran/Vosters (Richmond) def. Schwartz/Keener (Marshall) - 8-6
Flight C Doubles Finals (at Cat Courts) Kashelkina/Volkova (Marshall) def. Schneider/Zivanovic (Richmond) - 8-5
Players Mentioned
