The Thundering Herd finishes its regular season next week
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall University women’s tennis team continues its winning streak with a 6-1 victory over Middle Tennessee State University, Saturday afternoon, at the Brian David Fox Tennis Center. The No. 64 Thundering Herd improved to 11-9 overall, while the Blue Raiders fell to 8-11 on the season.
“It was nice to get our fourth victory in a row today,” Marshall’s head coach John Mercer said. “Both the victory and winning streak are confidence builders for the team.”
The Herd started its day successful with doubles victories at the number one and three positions.
The pair of Catherine Kellner (Smithtown, N.Y.) and Thaddea Lock (Bristol, England) took an 8-5 decision over Marietta Bigus and Alexandra Dachos at the No. 3 position.
The senior duo of Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Karolina Soor (Lindesburg, Sweden) defeated the team of Marlene Chemin and Anna Djananova, 8-3, at the No. 1 slot to secure the doubles point.
The Blue Raiders’ pair of Taylor Coffey and Natalie Araya took an 8-5 advantage over Deanna Bailey (McDonough, Ga.) and Jessica Keener (Reston, Va.) at the No. 2 mark.
“The team did a really good job making the proper adjustments to the weather conditions,” Coach Mercer continued.
Marshall’s Isabell Raich (Klaus, Austria) enhanced the Herd’s lead to 2-0 after a straight-set victory over Bigus. Raich won 6-1, 6-1, at the No. 2 slot.
Schmitt, ranked 76th, gave the Herd a 3-0 lead with a straight-set victory over Andrea Herrera. Schmitt defeated Herrera, 6-4, 6-0, at the No. 1 mark.
Bailey took a 6-2, 6-3 decision over Alexandra Dachos at the No. 6 position to improve the Herd’s lead to 4-0.
Kellner defeated Djananova, 6-1, 7-5 at the No. 5 slot. Soor fought back for the Herd’s final victory with a 2-6, 6-4 (10-8) victory over Coffey at the No. 4 mark.
The Blue Raiders’ lone singles victory was at the No. 3 position. Araya defeated Keener 6-4, 4-6 (10-8).
The Herd enhanced its perfect all-time series streak over the Blue Raiders to 8-0.
“We have another tough match ahead of us on Wednesday,” Coach Mercer added. “Virginia Tech is an excellent team that we have always had rough matches with but we hope to play well.”
Marshall will finish its regular season schedule next week with three matches. The Herd will first travel to Blacksburg, Va., Wednesday, April 8, to face the No. 58 Virginia Tech. First serve is set for 2 p.m. at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center.
The Herd then plays hosts to the University of Louisville and University of Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11. Marshall first plays Louisville at 11 a.m. and then challenges Pittsburgh at 4 p.m., with both matches played at the Brian David Fox Tennis Center, weather permitting.
Prior to Saturday’s matches, the Herd’s three seniors, Keener, Schmitt, and Soor, will be recognized for their accomplishments at Marshall.
The Herd is 3-4 at home, 7-4 away, and 1-1 at neutral sites so far this season.
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Tennis Match Results
Middle Tennessee State vs Marshall
4/4/2009 at Huntington, W. Va.
#64 Marshall 6, Middle Tennessee State 1
Singles competition
1. #76 Kellie Schmitt (MAR) def. Andrea Herrera (MTSU) 6-4, 6-0
2. Isabell Raich (MAR) def. Marietta Bigus (MTSU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Natalie Araya (MTSU) def. Jessica Keener (MAR) 6-4, 4-6, 10-8
4. Karolina Soor (MAR) def. Taylor Coffey (MTSU) 2-6, 6-4, 10-8
5. Catherine Kellner (MAR) def. Anna Djananova (MTSU) 6-1, 7-5
6. Deanna Bailey (MAR) def. Alexandra Dachos (MTSU) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Kellie Schmitt/Karolina Soor (MAR) def. Marlene Chemin/Anna Djananova (MTSU) 8-3
2. Taylor Coffey/Natalie Araya (MTSU) def. Jessica Keener/Deanna Bailey (MAR) 8-5
3. Catherine Kellner/Thaddea Lock (MAR) def. Marietta Bigus/Alexandra Dachos (MTSU) 8-5
Match Notes:
Middle Tennessee State 8-11
Marshall 11-9; National ranking #64
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (2,1,6,5,4,3)
