Marshall University Athletics
Tennis Set for Weekend Matches
2/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 5, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University women's tennis team is set to host South Alabama and Penn State this weekend. The 46th-ranked Thundering Herd (3-2) will first face the Jaguars (2-1), Friday, with first serve set for 5 p.m. Marshall will then play Penn State (2-1), Sunday, at 11 a.m. with both matches played at the Huntington Tennis Club.
"We have gone back and forth with South Alabama throughout the years, which has turned into a good rivalry match," Marshall's head coach John Mercer said. "We look forward to playing them at home, and we hope to take advantage of the indoor courts."
The Herd and Jaguars have met five times in school history, with South Alabama leading the series, 3-2. In the most recent meeting, South Alabama took a 6-1 advantage over Marshall in Mobile, Ala., last season.
"We have been able to pull-out wins in a few tight matches against Penn State," Coach Mercer continued. "The Nittany Lions are always tough and keep the matches close."
Marshall and Penn State have met seven times, with the Herd leading the series, 4-3. In the most recent meeting, Marshall defeated Penn State, 4-3, in University Park, Pa., last season.
The Herd has played three other Big Ten members in school history and stand at 7-5 overall. Senior Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.) was honored with her ninth and second Conference USA Player of the Week accolade, Feb. 3, for her tough play against Florida International and Georgia. She earned her first of the 2009 campaign, Jan. 20, after her impressive play against Kentucky.
In singles action, Schmitt (33rd) is 4-1 at the No. 1 position, Isabell Raich (Klaus, Austria) stands 2-3 at the No. 2 slot, Karolina Soor (Lindesburg, Sweden) is 2-2 at the No. 3 mark, Deanna Bailey (McDonough, Ga.) stands 3-2 at the No. 4 position, Jessica Keener (Reston, Va.) is 3-1 at the No. 5 slot, and Catherine Kellner (Smithtown, N.Y.) stands 4-0 at the No. 6 mark.
The 44th-ranked senior tandem of Schmitt and Soor are the only undefeated doubles team for the Herd at 4-0 at the No. 1 mark. Bailey and Keener are 3-1 at the No. 2 slot, while Kellner and Raich are 1-1 at the No. 3 postion.
The pair of Kellner and Kristina Koprcina (Split, Croatia) is 0-2 at the No. 3 mark, while Kellner and Thaddea Lock (Bristol, England) stand 0-1 at the No. 3 position.
Marshall kicked-off the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Team Indoor Championship last weekend with a 5-1 victory over Florida International University. The Herd then fell 5-0 to the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs, Monday, which advanced Georgia to the 2009 ITA National Team Indoor Championship later this month at the University of Wisconsin.
South Alabama and Penn State will face each other, Saturday, at 2 p.m. at the Huntington Tennis Club.
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