Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Eastern Michigan
Tennis Ends Three Match Losing Streak
2/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 28, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
YPSILANTI, Mich. - The Marshall University women's tennis team ended its three-match losing streak Saturday afternoon with a 7-0 sweep over Mid-American Conference member, Eastern Michigan University, at the Chippewa Racquet Club.
The No. 54 Thundering improved to 6-5 overall, while the Eagles fell 3-9 so far this season.
"This was a great match for us leading into tomorrow's match," Marshall's head coach John Mercer said. "We are looking forward to face Michigan State tomorrow morning."
Marshall began its sweep with three doubles victories. The senior pair of Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa) and Karolina Soor (Lindesburg, Sweden) took an 8-3 decision over Miriam Westerink and Joanna Woo at the No. 1 position.
Playing the No. 2 slot, Jessica Keener (Reston, Va.) and Deanna Bailey (McDonough, Ga.) defeated Karina Ahuja and Xu Chang, 8-2. The pair of Isabell Raich (Klaus, Austria) and Catherine Kellner (Smithtown, N.Y.) took an 8-2 advantage over Georgia de'Lisle-Tar and Rumbidzai Muskwe at the No. 3 mark.
The Herd continued its sweep into singles play with six straight-set match victories.
The 90th-ranked Schmitt defeated Westerink, 6-4, 6-1, at the No.1 slot. Raich took a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Ahuja at the No. 2 mark. Playing the No. 3 position, Soor defeated Chang, 6-2, 6-0.
Bailey defeated Woo, 6-2, 6-1, at the No. 4 mark. Keener followed with a 6-1, 6-1 decision over Marcela Rivero at the No. 5 slot. Kellner closed out the Herd's sweep with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Muskwe at the No. 6 position.
With the victory, the Herd enhanced its all-time series lead over the Eagles to 12-6. Marshall and Eastern Michigan's match-up is the longest running series between the Herd and an opponent in program history.
Marshall will continue on the road against Big Ten foe, Michigan State (70th), Sunday morning at the MSU Indoor Facility, with first serve set for 11 a.m. The Spartans stand 6-5 on the season.
Marshall and Michigan State have met once in school history with the Herd taking a 6-1 decision last season in Huntington.
The Herd is 3-2 on the road and 1-1 at neutral sites so far this season.
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Tennis Match Results
Marshall vs Eastern Mich.
2/28/2009 at Ypsilanti, Mich.
#54 Marshall 7, Eastern Mich. 0
Singles competition
1. #90 Kellie Schmitt (MAR) def. Miriam Westerink (EMU) 6-4, 6-1
2. Isabell Raich (MAR) def. Karina Ahuja (EMU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Karolina Soor (MAR) def. Xu Chang (EMU) 6-2, 6-0
4. Deanna Bailey (MAR) def. Joanna Woo (EMU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Jessica Keener (MAR) def. Marcela Rivero (EMU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Catherine Kellner (MAR) def. Rumbidzai Muskwe (EMU) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Kellie Schmitt/Karolina Soor (MAR) def. Miriam Westerink/Joanna Woo (EMU) 8-3
2. Jessica Keener/Deanna Bailey (MAR) def. Karina Ahuja/Xu Chang (EMU) 8-2
3. Isabell Raich/Catherine Kellner (MAR) def. Georgia de'Lisle-Tar/Rumbidzai Muskwe (EMU) 8-2
Match Notes:
Marshall 6-5; National ranking #54
Eastern Mich. 3-9
Players Mentioned
