Marshall University Athletics
@Herd_Tennis Hosts Nationally Ranked Hokies and Owls
2/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall Tennis is back in action this weekend, as it hosts Virginia Tech on Friday at 5:00 p.m. The Herd will close out the weekend Sunday against Rice at 11:00 a.m.
WHERE WE RANK
In the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings released Wednesday, Marshall slipped down from No. 55 and is now ranked No. 74 in the nation. Rice still holds the top position for Conference USA at No. 29. Old Dominion is ranked No. 60, while North Texas joins the group for the first time and is ranked No. 73.
LAST TIME OUT
The Herd is currently 4-3 overall following its win this past Friday against Louisville and its loss against Miami (Oh) last Sunday. Marshall defeated the Cardinals on Friday, 4-3, and followed up with a tight 4-3 loss against the RedHawks on Sunday. Derya Turhan (Bad Salzuflen, Germany), Rachael Morales (Columbus, Ohio) and Anna Pomyatinskaya (Sochi, Russia) led the way for Marshall, all defeating their opponents on both days. In doubles, Turhan and Morales took down the Cardinals 6-3, while Pomyatinskaya and Maddie Silver (East Grand Rapids, Mich.) won over the RedHawks 6-3.
SCOUTING THE HOKIES
The Virginia Tech Hokies are 5-1 this season, with its only loss against their first conference game against Clemson. The Hokies are ranked 45th, and are on a winning streak as they've beaten their last three opponents, 7-0 (Richmond, UMBC, West Virginia). Virginia Tech also has wins against Radford and Western Carolina.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
The Rice Owls are 4-1 this season, with its one loss coming against 19th-ranked LSU. The Owls are ranked 29th, moving up two spots, and remaining the highest team in Conference USA. Rice is led by Katherine Ip, who is on a nine-game win streak and has a 16-4 record.
Rice is the defending Conference USA champions, who defeated the Herd in the finals last season, 4-1.
COACH'S CORNER
Quote from head coach John Mercer
On the upcoming weekend matches
"We are looking forward to hosting both these great tennis programs. Virginia Tech is a very competitive team in what is probably the best tennis conference in the country, and Rice is the defending C-USA champions. It was a tough loss we had in the finals of the conference tournament last year on their home courts. So we are looking forward to having them at home this season."
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