Feb. 22, 2008

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University's tennis team will play host to Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, at the Huntington Tennis Club with first serve set for 1 p.m. In the latest rankings, the 55th-ranked Thundering Herd (8-2) hopes to keep its four-game winning streak alive.

"We are looking forward to Miami coming to Huntington because they are playing well," Marshall's head coach John Mercer said. "This is going to be a challenge for us."

In the latest doubles rankings, the pair of Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Karolina Soor (Lindesberg, Sweden) jumped six ranks to No. 9. The duo has remained perfect at the number one spot so far this season at 8-0.

Playing the number two and three, Isabell Raich (Klaus, Austria) and Thaddea Lock (Bristol, England) stand at 6-3. Also at the number two and three, Jessica Keener (Reston, Va.) and Yulia Kashelkina (Moscow, Russia) hold an overall record of 7-2.

"We look forward to the challenge on Saturday," Coach Mercer added.

Marshall's Schmitt holds a 10-0 singles record at the number one spot so far this season. In the latest singles rankings, Schmitt fell 20 spots after being ranked No. 19.

Soor stands at 4-4 in singles, Raich at 7-3, Jeanne Schwartz (West Palm Beach, Fla.) is at 7-3, Keener 4-1, Lock stands at 5-4, and Kashelkina holds a 6-2 record in singles competition.

In 2007, Marshall took a 7-0 decision over Miami.