Marshall University Athletics
Tennis Faces No. 29 Virginia, Saturday
2/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 19, 2009
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The No. 54 Marshall University women's tennis team will travel to Charlottesville, Va. to challenge No. 29 University of Virginia, Saturday, at the Boar's head Sports Club.
First serve is set for 9 a.m. The Thundering Herd enters the contest at 5-4 overall, while the Cavaliers stand at 4-2 so far this season.
"We look forward to playing another top ranked opponent," Marshall's head coach John Mercer said. "Virginia is an improved team from last year and will be ready for us."
Saturday's match will be the 10th meeting between the two schools with Virginia leading the all-time series, 8-1. The Herd upset the Cavaliers last season by a 6-1 margin in Charlottesville.
Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.), ranked 90th, continues climbing the Herd's all-time career list with her 8-1 singles and 7-1 doubles records so far this season. Schmitt plays the No. 1 slot at both singles and doubles and pairs with teammate Karolina Soor (Lindesburg, Sweden) in doubles play.
Sophomore transfer Catherine Kellner (Smithtown, N.Y.) follows Schmitt with the next best singles record for the Herd at 7-1 at the No. 6 position.
Also in singles action, sophomore Isabell Raich (Klaus, Austria) stands 5-4 at the No. 2 mark, Soor is 5-3 at the No. 3 position, junior transfer Deanna Bailey (McDonough, Ga.) stands 4-5 at the No. 4 slot, and senior Jessica Keener (Reston, Va.) is 5-3 at the No. 5 position.
In doubles play, the pair of Keener and Bailey stand 4-3 at the No. 2, while Kellner and Raich are 1-4 at the No. 3 slot.
"We are looking forward to this excellent opportunity," Coach Mercer added.
The Cavaliers' Jennifer Stevens stands at No. 80 in the most recent singles poll. The doubles pair of Stevens and Emily Fraser is No. 46 in the most recent doubles poll.
Marshall began its seven match road trip last weekend with two close 4-3 losses to both the No. 66 Minnesota and No. 36 Washington, respectively.
The Herd is 2-1 on the road and 1-1 at neutral sites so far this season.
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