Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Minnesota
No. 53 Marshall Tennis Outlasts No. 72 Minnesota, 4-3
1/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Jan. 21, 2011
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The No. 53 Marshall University women's tennis team improved to 3-0 on the season with a narrow 4-3 decision over No. 72 University of Minnesota Friday night at the Huntington Tennis Club.
"Minnesota is a lot better than their ranking. The girl who played first singles and the girl who played fourth singles are freshmen," head coach John Mercer said. "We knew it was going to be a hard fought, four hour affair, but we knew we needed to battle, and I am happy with how we battled at every position. I am glad to win one against a team like that."
The Thundering Herd opened the contest by taking two out of three doubles matches, earning a critical 1-0 advantage heading into singles. The Herd has won the doubles point in all three of its matches this season.
In a battle of nationally ranked doubles tandems, No. 63 Michaela Kissell and Dominika Zaprazna defeated No. 84 Alessandra Ferrazzi and Alexa Palen, 8-4. Court three was also victorious for the Herd as Kara Kucin and Karli Timko topped Minnesota's Mariana Spilca and Magdalena, also by a mark of 8-4.
Marshall's depth proved to be the key as MU earned a point on singles courts three, five and six.
Senior Catherine Kellner remained undefeated as she cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 triumph against Alexa Palen in third singles. Kellner has dropped a total of just two games in three matches this season.
On court five, Maria Voscekova topped Magdalena Wiecha in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, while Kucin had little trouble with Peta Forsyth on court six, winning 6-3, 6-0.
First singles saw No. 27 Kissell fall to No. 51 Natalia Pintusava in a hard fought contest, 3-6, 6-7. Courts two and four also went in the favor of the Golden Gophers, but it was not enough as the Herd took the team victory.
Marshall is back on the court Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. as the Herd hosts I-64 rivals, the University of Kentucky. The match will be played at the Huntington Tennis Club. The HTC will also be hosting action on Saturday as Minnesota and Kentucky go head-to-head at 12 p.m.
Players Mentioned
