The Thundering Herd hopes to continue its winning streak
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall University women’s tennis team will travel to Blacksburg, Va., Wednesday, to face No. 58 Virginia Tech. First-serve is set for 2 p.m. at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center. The No. 64 Thundering Herd enters its final regular season road match 11-9 overall, while the Hokies are 10-10 on the season.
“Virginia Tech always has a great team,” Marshall’s head coach John Mercer said. “The Hokies have posted some good results against top teams this season.”
Marshall and Virginia Tech have met 14 times in school history, with the Hokies leading the all-time series, 9-5. The Herd took a 4-3 victory last season in Huntington.
Senior Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.), ranked 76th, continues to lead the Herd so far this season with a 17-3 singles record at the No. 1 position, while sophomore transfer Catherine Kellner (Smithtown, N.Y.) stands at 15-4 so far this season.
Isabell Raich (Klaus, Austria) stands at 9-11, while Karolina Soor (Lindesburg, Sweden) is 12-7 so far in 2009.
Also in singles play, Deanna Bailey (McDonough, Ga.) stands at 8-8, Jessica Keener (Reston, Va.) is 9-9, Thaddea Lock (Bristol, England) stands at 1-1, while Kristina Koprcina (Split, Croatia) is 1-2 on the season.
Virginia Tech’s team of Jessica Brouwer and Holly Johnson are ranked 56th in the most recent doubles polls.
Schmitt has posted a 13-6 doubles record so far this season, which places her three away from becoming the Herd’s top career doubles player.
“Wednesday will be an excellent opportunity to play against such a competitive team,” Coach Mercer added. “The match with the Hokies is always a tough one.”
Marshall hopes to continue its winning streak after four straight wins. The Herd went perfect in Hawaii and had a 6-1 win against Middle Tennessee State University, Saturday.
Virginia Tech is currently on a six-match losing streak. The Hokies had tough losses against top teams over the past few weeks. Most recently, Virginia Tech fell 6-1 to No. 9 Duke, Sunday.
The Herd will finish its regular season when it plays host to the University of Louisville and University of Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11, 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 career 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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