Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Kentucky
Tennis Upset Bid Falls Short against Kentucky Saturday
1/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Jan. 17, 2009
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University women's tennis team's upset bid fell short to the University of Kentucky to open its 2009 regular season campaign. The No. 23 Wildcats defeated the 46th-ranked Thundering Herd 4-3 after five hours of play Saturday at the Huntington Tennis Club.
"I credit Kentucky for the way their team bounced back after losing the doubles point," Marshall's head coach John Mercer said. "However, I feel very good about our team this year."
The Herd took the doubles point with victories from the No. 44 senior tandem of Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Karolina Soor (Lindesburg, Sweden) and the pair of Jessica Keener (Reston, Va.) and Deanna Bailey (McDonough, Ga.).
Schmitt and Soor took an 8-2 decision over Kentucky's No. 42 team of Carolina Escamilla and Christine Johnston at the number one position. The pair of Keener and Bailey defeated the duo of Sarah Wöstmann and Jennifer Stone, 9-8 (7-1), at the number two spot.
Kentucky's Megan Broderick and Caroline Lilley defeated Catherine Kellner (Smithtown, N.Y.) and Kristina Koprcina (Split, Croatia), 8-1, at the number three mark.
Marshall headed into singles play with a 1-0 lead, but Kentucky would take four straight matches to take the victory early.
"We didn't get off on a good start in singles play today," Coach Mercer continued. "We dug ourselves into a too large of a hole to bounce back."
Kentucky's Whitney Spencer took a straight-set victory over Keener, 6-3, 6-2, at the number five position. Bailey then fell to Lilley, 6-4, 6-3, at the number four mark. The Wildcats' Johnston defeated Soor, 6-4, 6-3, at the number three. Escamilla secured Kentucky's victory with a straight-set decision over Isabell Raich (Klaus, Austria), 6-2, 6-4, at the number two spot.
Schmitt (33rd) took a 6-1, 5-7, 7-5 advantage over No. 61 Broderick at the number one position. With Schmitt's doubles and singles victory today, she surpassed Ashley Kroh (2001-05) for career overall victories for the Herd with 200. Schmitt began the 2009 season as Marshall's top career singles victories leader.
Kellner defeated Wöstmann, 4-6, 6-4 (10-4) at the number six mark to finish match play.
"We look forward to picking up some good victories this season," Coach Mercer added.
With the victory, Kentucky advanced its all-time series lead over Marshall, 9-0. The Wildcats improved to 1-0, while the Herd fell to 0-1 for the season.
Marshall will travel to Morgantown, W.Va. and Cincinnati, Ohio next weekend to begin a four-match road trip. The Herd will first face West Virginia, Saturday, Jan. 24, with first serve set for 2 p.m. Marshall will then play the University of Cincinnati, Sunday, Jan. 25, at 4 p.m. at the Western Tennis & Fitness Club.
Tennis Match Results
Kentucky vs Marshall
1/17/2009 at Huntington, W.Va.
#23 Kentucky 4, #46 Marshall 3
Singles competition
1. #61 Megan Broderick (KEN) vs. #33 Kellie Schmitt (MAR) 6-1, 5-7, 7-5
2. Carolina Escamilla (KEN) def. Isabell Raich (MAR) 6-2, 6-4
3. Christine Johnston (KEN) def. Karolina Soor (MAR) 6-4, 6-2
4. Caroline Lilley (KEN) def. Deanna Bailey (MAR) 6-4, 6-3
5. Whitney Spencer (KEN) def. Jessica Keener (MAR) 6-3, 6-2
6. Catherine Kellner (MAR) def. Sarah Wöstmann (KEN) 4-6, 6-4, 10-4
Doubles competition
1. #44 Kellie Schmitt/Karolina Soor (MAR) def. #42 Carolina Escamilla/Christine Johnston (KEN) 8-2
2. Jessica Keener/Deanna Bailey (MAR) def. Sarah Wöstmann/Jennifer Stone (KEN) 9-8, 7-1
3. Megan Broderick/Caroline Lilley (KEN) def. Catherine Kellner/Kristina Koprcina (MAR) 8-1
Match Notes:
Kentucky 1-0; National ranking #23
Marshall 0-1; National ranking #46
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (5,4,3,2,1,6)
T-4:10; A-147
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Players Mentioned
