Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Virginia
Women's Tennis Downs No. 39 UVA, 6-1
1/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Jan. 26, 2008
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Marshall University's women's tennis team downed the nationally-ranked No. 39 University of Virginia, 6-1, on Saturday at the Boyd Tinsley Tennis Courts. The 65th-ranked Thundering Herd advanced to 3-1 overall while the Cavaliers fell to 0-1 for the season.
"We played a very determined match against a highly-ranked squad today," Marshall's head coach John Mercer said. "We didn't go out to win but to compete and we came out meeting that challenge."
The Herd took its first victory over the Cavaliers to end the 8-0 all-time losing streak.
Junior Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.) defeated Jennifer Stevens, 6-0, 6-1, at the singles No. 1 spot. Playing at the number two mark, Amanda Rales took the Cavaliers lone victory over the Herd's Karolina Soor (Lindesberg, Sweden), 6-3, 6-0.
Also for the Herd, Thaddea Lock (Bristol, England) closed out the Herd's victory with a hard- fought triumph over Lara Alexander 4-6, 6-3, 10-6 at the number five position. Jeanne Schwartz (West Palm Beach, Fla.) took Maggie Yahner, 7-5, 6-4, at number four. Isabell Raich (Klaus, Austria) battled against Lindsey Pereira at the number three spot, 6-2, 4-6, 10-6. At No. 6, Yulia Kashelkina (Moscow, Russia) won against Hampton Williams, 6-3, 6-0.
"We really tried to play a determined and competitive match and did that very well at all positions," coach Mercer continued. "I am sure UVA will bounce back because they have a good coach and players."
Playing doubles number one, the nationally-ranked No. 15 Schmitt and Soor team continued to a 4-0 record over Lara Alexander/Lindsey Pereira, 8-3. The Herd's duo Keener and Kashelkina took the number three doubles position against Jennifer Stevens/Hampton Williams, 8-5.
"We need to be geared-up again and bounce back from a loss against Richmond last season," coach Mercer added. "Richmond will be tough because they are a good team so we have to be ready and keep building."
On Sunday, Jan. 27th, the Herd will square-off against the University of Richmond Spiders at the Boyd Tinsley Tennis Courts with a 10:00a.m. match start in Charlottesville, Va. Marshall owns a 4-2 series lead over the Spiders.
Marshall vs Virginia 1/26/2008 at Charlottesville, Va.
#65 Marshall 6, #39 Virginia 1
Singles competition
1. #3 Kellie Schmitt (MAR) def. Jennifer Stevens (UVA) 6-0, 6-1
2. Amanda Rales (UVA) def. Karolina Soor (MAR) 6-3, 6-0
3. Isabell Raich (MAR) def. Lindsey Pereira (UVA) 6-2, 6-4, 12-10
4. Jeanne Schwartz (MAR) def. Maggie Yahner (UVA) 7-5, 6-4
5. Thaddea Lock (MAR) def. Lara Alexander (UVA) 4-6, 6-3, 10-6
6. Yulia Kashelkina (MAR) def. Hampton Williams (UVA) 6-3, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. #1 Kellie Schmitt/Karolina Soor (MAR) def. Lara Alexander/Lindsey Pereira (UVA) 8-3
2. Amanda Rales/Maggie Yahner (UVA) def. Thaddea Lock/Isabell Raich (MAR) 8-4
3. Jessica Keener/Yulia Kashelkina (MAR) def. Jennifer Stevens/Hampton Williams (UVA) 8-5
Match Notes:
Marshall 3-1; National ranking #65
Virginia 0-1; National ranking #39
No. 65 Marshall defeats nationally-ranked No. 39 University of Virginia, 6-1
Players Mentioned
