Herd Battles to 5-2 win over Blue Raiders

March 4, 2007

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BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. - The Marshall Thundering Herd tennis team produced a comeback 5-2, victory over Middle Tennessee on Sunday at the Huntington Tennis Club.

The Herd (11-5) started in a 0-1 deficit to begin the match by losing the doubles point to the Blue Raiders (4-7). Marshall's only doubles victory came from Karolina Soor and Thaddea Lock, who knocked off MTSU's Stephanie Parkison and Ann-Kristin Siljestrom, 8-4, in the second spot in the lineup.

After the 10 minute break between doubles and singles play, the Herd came back with renewed desire, winning five of the six singles matches.

"It was a good battle with Middle Tennessee," Marshall head coach John Mercer said. "We did a good job coming back."

Kellie Schmitt started the rally for the Herd taking down Hala Sufi in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. At the No. 2 position, Soor followed with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Ann-Krisitn Siljestrom. The run was followed with Yulia Kashelkina taking down Marlene Chemin in the third spot in the lineup, 6-2, 6-4, making the score 3-1.

"I'm really pleased with the way we played at the top of the lineup," Mercer said. "We were able to play aggressive and strong from the beginning."

The match was wrapped up for the Herd with a victory at the No. 6 position. Jessica Keener won over Pooja Kommireddi in straight sets 6-1, 6-0. In the five spot in the lineup Jeanne Schwartz was victorious in the day's final match, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

"Hopefully we will be better prepared to start future matches in doubles," Mercer said.

The Herd will be on the road for its next five matches beginning with a trip to Richmond, Va., to take on Virginia Commonwealth and Richmond. Marshall will face VCU, March 9 and will face Richmond March 11.

#58 Marshall 5, Middle Tennessee 23/4/2007 at Barboursville, W.Va.
Singles competition1. #28 Kellie Schmitt (MAR) def. Hala Sufi (MT) 6-2, 6-42. Karolina Soor (MAR) def. A-Kristin Siljestrom (MT) 6-3, 6-43. Yulia Kashelkina (MAR) def. Marlene Chemin (MT) 6-2, 6-44. Claudia Szabo (MT) def. Thaddea Lock (MAR) 7-5, 6-15. Jeanne Schwartz (MAR) def. Stephanie Parkison (MT) 6-3, 4-6, 7-56. Jessica Keener (MAR) def. Pooja Kommireddi (MT) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles competition1. Hala Sufi/Claudia Szabo (MT) def. #27 Kellie Schmitt/Lynzee Kever (MAR) 8-22. Thaddea Lock/Karolina Soor (MAR) def. Stephanie Parkison/A-Kristin Siljestrom (MT) 8-43. Marlene Chemin/Pooja Kommireddi (MT) def. Yulia Kashelkina/Jessica Keener (MAR) 9-8 (7-5)
Match NotesMiddle Tennessee 4-7Marshall 11-5; National ranking #58Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (1,2,3,4,6,5)Official: Mike Politz T-4:20 A-67

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Players Mentioned

Yulia Kashelkina

Jessica Keener

Jessica Keener

Lynzee Kever

Thaddea Lock

Kellie Schmitt

Kellie Schmitt

Jeanne Schwartz

Jeanne Schwartz

Karolina Soor

Karolina Soor

Marshall University Athletics