April 17, 2009

Box Score

HOUSTON, Texas - Third-seeded Marshall used three straight-set singles wins and a doubles sweep to post a 4-0 second-round victory over East Carolina Friday afternoon, eliminating the Lady Pirates from the 2009 Conference USA Women's Tennis Championship Tournament at Jake Hess Stadium.

The Thundering Herd (14-10), also ranked No. 72 nationally in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll, will advance to the semifinals where they will meet No. 2 Tulsa Saturday. Sixth-seeded ECU closed out its fifth consecutive winning season with a 15-7 record.

Marshall quickly extended a 1-0 lead after doubles play by capturing three singles matches in convincing fashion. Catherine Kellner and Kellie Schmitt cruised to 6-1, 6-2 and 6-2, 6-1 wins over Tamara Sachs and Jessica Cook at the No. 6 and No. 1 positions, respectively. Isabell Raich followed with a similar 6-1, 6-2 defeat of Varinia Soler at No. 2 to clinch the team triumph.

Kellner and Thaddea Lock teamed up for an 8-6 victory over Natalie Collins and Sachs to open doubles action at No. 3 before Deanna Bailey and Jessica Keener secured the tally moments later with an 8-3 win over Rocio Cabanillas and Brooke Walter at No. 2.

No. 3 MARSHALL 4, No. 6 EAST CAROLINA 0
Singles Play
No. 1 - Kellie Schmitt (MAR) def. Jessica Cook (ECU); 6-2, 6-1
No. 2 - Isabell Raich (MAR) def. Varinia Soler (ECU); 6-1, 6-2
No. 3 - Karolina Soor (MAR) vs. Natalie Collins (ECU); 6-4, unfinished
No. 4 - Deanna Bailey (MAR) vs. Brooke Walter (ECU); 7-5, 1-1, unfinished
No. 5 - Jessica Keener (MAR) vs. Rocio Cabanillas (ECU); 6-3, unfinished
No. 6 - Catherine Kellner (MAR) def. Tamara Sachs (ECU); 6-1, 6-2
Doubles Play
No. 1 - Schmitt/Soor (MAR) vs. Cook/Soler (ECU); 7-5, unfinished
No. 2 - Bailey/Keener (MAR) def. Cabanillas/Walter (ECU); 8-3
No. 3 - Kellner/Thaddea Lock (MAR) def. Collins/Sachs (ECU) 8-6
Team Records: Marshall 14-10, East Carolina 15-7