Complete Release in PDF Format

March 22, 2008

Box Score

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The Marshall University's women's tennis team fell short to the University of Pennsylvania (5-5), Saturday afternoon, 5-2, at the McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center/Busch Courts. The 62nd-ranked Thundering Herd squad dropped to 12-6 so far this season.

"I thought we played a great match this afternoon against an excellent team who have had tough losses against ranked opponents this season," Marshall's head coach John Mercer said. "Kellie [Schmitt] and Karolina [Soor] had pretty descent wins."

No. 60 Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.) defeated the 103rd-ranked Ekateri Kosminskaya, 7-6, 1-6, 6-3, at the number one position. Karolina Soor (Lindesberg, Sweden) took a 6-3, 4-6, 10-7 decision over Yulia Rivelis at the number two slot.

Julia Koulbitskaya defeated Jeanne Schwartz (West Palm Beach, Fla.) 7-5, 6-3 at the three. Isabell Raich (Klaus, Austria) fell to Maria Anisimova, 6-4, 7-5 at the number four mark. Playing at the five, Charlotte Tansill defeated Thaddea Lock (Bristol, England), 6-2, 6-4. Michelle Mitchell took a 6-3, 6-4 decision over Jessica Keener (Reston, Va.) at the number six slot to finish singles competition.

The 24th-ranked pair of Kosminskaya and Koulbitskaya defeated Schmitt and Soor (23rd), 8-6, at the number one. Keener and Kashelkina dropped an 8-2 decision against Tansill and Mitchell at the number two position.

Raich and Lock took an 8-6 victory over Rivelis and Anisimova at the two to prevent Penn's doubles sweep.

The Quackers took a 2-0 all-time series advantage over the Herd.

"We are moving in a positive direction," Coach Mercer added. "As we continue to play these outstanding squads, it is preparing us for the Conference USA tournament."

Marshall will continue its road trip when the Herd travels to Auburn, Ala. to face the 30th-ranked Auburn University (12-4) at the Yarbrough Tennis Center Wednesday, March 26 at 2 p.m. Then the Herd will challenge No. 58 South Alabama (13-1), Thursday, March 27 at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Courts in Mobile, Ala. with first serve set for 1 p.m.

Marshall vs Pennsylvania
3/22/2008 at Williamsburg, Va.

Pennsylvania 5, #62 Marshall 2

Singles competition
1. #60 Kellie Schmitt (MAR) def. #103 Ekateri Kosminskaya (PENN) 7-6, 1-6, 6-3
2. Karolina Soor (MAR) def. Yulia Rivelis (PENN) 6-3, 4-6, 10-7
3. Julia Koulbitskaya (PENN) def. Jeanne Schwartz (MAR) 7-5, 6-3
4. Maria Anisimova (PENN) def. Isabell Raich (MAR) 6-4, 7-5
5. Charlotte Tansill (PENN) def. Thaddea Lock (MAR) 6-2, 6-4
6. Michelle Mitchell (PENN) def. Jessica Keener (MAR) 6-3, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. #24 Ekateri Kosminskaya/Julia Koulbitskaya (PENN) def. #23 Kellie Schmitt/Karolina Soor (MAR) 8-6
2. Thaddea Lock/Isabell Raich (MAR) def. Yulia Rivelis/Maria Anisimova (PENN) 8-2
3. Charlotte Tansill/Michelle Mitchell (PENN) def. Yulia Kashelkina/Jessica Keener (MAR) 8-6

Match Notes:
Marshall 12-6; National ranking #62
Pennsylvania 5-5