Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Minnesota
Tennis Falls 4-3 to Minnesota
2/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 13, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Marshall University women's tennis team began its seven match road trip with a 4-3 loss to the University of Minnesota, Friday evening at the Baseline Tennis Center. The 44th-ranked Thundering Herd fell to 5-3 overall, while the 66th-ranked Golden Gophers improved to 5-2 so far this season.
"We had a great effort and tried hard tonight, but we need to work on finishing," Marshall's head coach John Mercer said.
The 44th-ranked pair of Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Karolina Soor (Lindesburg, Sweden) defeated Karina Chiarelli and Alex Seaton, 8-2, at the No. 1 position. The duo of Jessica Keener (Reston, Va.) and Deanna Bailey (McDonough, Ga.) took an 8-4 decision over Tijana Koprivica and Niltooli Wilkins at the No. 2 slot to secure the doubles point for the Herd.
Playing the No. 3 doubles mark, Isabell Raich (Klaus, Austria) and Catherine Kellner (Smithtown, N.Y.) fell 8-4 to Alessandra Ferrazzi and Magdalena Wiecha.
Leading into singles action, the Herd had a 1-0 lead over the Golden Gophers.
The 33rd-ranked Schmitt defeated Chiarelli in straight-sets, 6-3, 6-3, at the No. 1 slot to improve Marshall's lead to 2-0.
However, Minnesota would quickly take a 3-2 lead with three straight-set victories.
"I was very impressed with Minnesota's singles play," Coach Mercer continued. "Minnesota is a highly disciplined team."
Raich fell 6-1, 6-1 to the No. 115 Ferrazzi, at the No. 2 mark. Koprivica defeated Bailey, 6-1, 6-0, at the No. 4 slot. Keener fell short to Wiecha, 6-4, 6-3, at the No. 5 position.
Marshall's Kellner would tie the match, 3-3, with a 7-5, 7-5 advantage over Jackie Sperling, at the No. 6 mark.
The Golden Gophers would secure the match with a hard fought 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 finish from Wilkins over Soor at the No. 3 position.
Minnesota improved its all-time series lead over Marshall to 2-1.
"We are excited for the opportunity to be playing against a top team tomorrow," Coach Mercer added.
Marshall challenges the 36th-ranked University of Washington (4-1), Saturday, with first serve set for 12 p.m. (EST) at the Baseline Tennis Center on Minnesota's campus.
The Herd and the Huskies have met once in school history, with Washington leading the all-time series, 1-0. In the most recent meeting, Marshall fell 7-0 to the Huskies early in the 2003 season.
Washington's Venise Chan is ranked No. 81, while her teammate Denise Dy is No. 112 in the most recent singles poll. The Huskies pair of Chan and Dy is No. 47.
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Tennis Match Results
Marshall vs Minnesota
2/13/2009 at Minneapolis, Minn.
#66 Minnesota 4, #44 Marshall 3
Singles competition
1. #33 Kellie Schmitt (MAR) def. Karina Chiarelli (MINN) 6-3, 6-3
2. #115 Alessandra Ferrazzi (MINN) def. Isabell Raich (MAR) 6-1, 6-1
3. Niltooli Wilkins (MINN) def. Karolina Soor (MAR) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
4. Tijana Koprivica (MINN) def. Deanna Bailey (MAR) 6-1, 6-0
5. Magdalena Wiecha (MINN) def. Jessica Keener (MAR) 6-4, 6-3
6. Catherine Kellner (MAR) def. Jackie Sperling (MINN) 7-5, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. #44 Kellie Schmitt/Karolina Soor (MAR) def. Karina Chiarelli/Alex Seaton (MINN) 8-2
2. Deanna Bailey/Jessica Keener (MAR) def. Tijana Koprivica/Niltooli Wilkins (MINN) 8-4
3. Alessandra Ferrazzi/Magdalena Wiecha (MINN) def. Catherine Kellner/Isabell Raich (MAR) 8-4
Players Mentioned
