Marshall University Athletics
Schmitt Ranked No. 18 in First ITA Rankings
1/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Jan. 9, 2007
HUNTINGTON - The Marshall Thundering Herd tennis team is ranked No. 60 in the first Intercollegiate Tennis Association's rankings of 2007 released on Tuesday.
Marshall's Kellie Schmitt was ranked 18th in singles by the ITA. Schmitt's No. 18 ranking is the highest ranking that any Herd tennis player has ever achieved. Previously the highest ranking for a Herd player was 62nd by Jessica Johnson in January 2004.
"Obviously it is a great accomplishment for Kellie to be ranked so high and after having a tremendous fall season," Marshall head coach John Mercer said. "She is excited to continue to play at that level throughout the spring."
Joining Schmitt on the singles rankings is freshman Thaddea Lock who is ranked 94th. In doubles, Lynzee Kever and partner Schmitt are ranked 35th.
"To have two people in the (singles) rankings is definitely a positive for us and it shows that we have some depth.
As far as Lynzee and Kellie go they have shown that they can be one of the top doubles teams in the country," Mercer said.
Marshall is one of three Conference USA teams ranked in the ITA's initial rankings. SMU and Rice start the season at 49th and 64th respectively.
"We want to improve on our team ranking," Mercer said. "While it's a good ranking, we definitely want to continue to improve and become a better team."
The Herd will begin play at the Huntington Tennis Center on Jan. 19, facing Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. and Morehead State at 6 p.m.
