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April 11, 2008

Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Marshall University's women's tennis team (62nd) downed the 39th-ranked University of Louisville, 5-2, Friday afternoon at the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center. The Thundering Herd finished its regular season, 15-8, while the Cardinals closed out its season, 14-6. Junior Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.) joined Joelle Good (2001-05) and Alyssa Bengel (1995-99) at the top of the record books with 93 all-time career singles victories.

"We are very excited for Kellie," Marshall's head coach John Mercer said. "She has done an unbelievable job so far in her career."

The Herd improved its all-time series lead over the Cardinals, 4-2.

"We did an excellent job today against a tough competitive Louisville squad," Coach Mercer continued. "We are really starting to play with confidence and purpose."

The 26th-ranked pair of Schmitt and Karolina Soor (Lindesberg, Sweden) took an 8-4 decision over Bianca Gorbea and Natalia Baez at the number one position. The duo of Thaddea Lock (Bristol, England) and Jessica Keener (Reston, Va.) secured the doubles point with an 8-5 victory over Lindsey Jones and Jo-Ann Van Aerde at the number three slot.

The Louisville team of Lauren Imre and Robyn White defeated Jeanne Schwartz (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Isabell Raich (Klaus, Austria), 8-6, at the number two.

The 58th-ranked Schmitt defeated Jones in straight-sets, 6-4, 6-1, at the number one mark. Raich also took a straight-set victory, 6-3, 6-4 at the number four over Baez. Playing the five, Keener took a 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 decision over White. Lock swept Van Aerde, 6-3, 6-0, at the number six position.

The Cardinals' Imre defeated Schwartz, 6-3, 6-1 at the number two. Soor fell 7-6, 3-6, 10-6 to Gorbea at the number three position.

The Herd finished 4-7 against ranked foes in regular season action.

"We are excited to be heading to the Conference USA tournament and hope to play solid," Coach Mercer added.

Marshall will travel to Houston, Texas, April 17-20, to compete for the elite C-USA title against ten other conference opponents, including 50th-ranked University of Tulsa and 63rd-ranked Rice University. The University of Houston will host the tournament with action played at the John E. Hoff Courts. The SMU pair of Natalia Bubien and Pavi Francis stands No. 41 nationally-ranked. Brackets will be made available Monday at http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/championships/08-w-tennis-championship.html.

Marshall vs Louisville
4/11/2008 at Louisville, Ky.

#62 Marshall 5, #39 Louisville 2

Singles competition
1. #58 Kellie Schmitt (MAR) def. Lindsey Jones (LOU) 6-4, 6-1
2. Lauren Imre (LOU) def. Jeanne Schwartz (MAR) 6-3, 6-1
3. Bianca Gorbea (LOU) def. Karolina Soor (MAR) 7-6, 3-6, 10-6
4. Isabell Raich (MAR) def. Natalia Baez (LOU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Jessica Keener (MAR) def. Robyn White (LOU) 6-1, 3-6, 7-5
6. Thaddea Lock (MAR) def. Jo-Ann Van Aerde (LOU) 6-3, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. #26 Kellie Schmitt/Karolina Soor (MAR) def. Bianca Gorbea/Natalia Baez (LOU) 8-4
2. Lauren Imre/Robyn White (LOU) def. Isabell Raich/Jeanne Schwartz (MAR) 8-6
3. Jessica Keener/Thaddea Lock (MAR) def. Lindsey Jones/Jo-Ann Van Aerde (LOU) 8-5

Match Notes:
Marshall 15-8; National ranking #62
Louisville 14-6; National ranking #39