Schmitt Earns Eighth Career C-USA Player of the Week Honor
The Thundering Herd's first accolade of the 2009 season

Schmitt stands as Marshall's career leader in overall singles and doubles victories with 200 and career singles wins with 107.

Schmitt stands as Marshall's career leader in overall singles and doubles victories with 200 and career singles wins with 107.

Jan. 20, 2009

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IRVING, TEXAS - Marshall University women's tennis senior Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.) garnered her eighth career Conference USA Player of the Week honor, as announced Tuesday by the conference office. This marks the first player of the week honor for the two-time C-USA Player of the Year for the 2009 campaign.

"Being honored with such an excellent recognition is an exciting way to start the season," Schmitt said. "It was good to pull off tough match victories against top opponents from Kentucky last weekend."

Schmitt, ranked No. 33 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) poll, went undefeated in both singles and doubles last weekend as the Thundering Herd opened up its spring season against No. 23 Kentucky. Marshall was able to grab the doubles point thanks to the effort of Schmitt and her partner Karolina Soor, as the No. 44 tandem defeated Kentucky's No. 42 team of Carolina Escamilla and Christine Johnston, 8-2, at the No. 1 doubles line.

"Kellie had a great weekend and played very well," Marshall's head coach John Mercer said. "She picked-up two great wins and we look forward to the opportunities to play more tough opponents this season."

In singles, Schmitt took at 6-1, 5-7, 7-5 decision over No. 61 Megan Broderick at the No. 1 spot. Schmitt is now the Marshall career leader in overall singles and doubles victories with 200 and also holds the school record for career singles wins with 107.

"I hope the team and I can continue to have great success the rest of the season with the many tough opponents ahead," Schmitt added. "Again, this was a great way to start this tough season."

Marshall will travel to Morgantown, W.Va. and Cincinnati, Ohio this weekend to begin a four-match road trip. The Herd will first face in-state rival West Virginia, Saturday, Jan. 24, with first serve set for 2 p.m. Marshall will then play the University of Cincinnati, Sunday, Jan. 25, at 4 p.m. at the Western Tennis & Fitness Club.

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