Seniors Catherine Kellner and Michaela Kissell won both their matches in the final home contest of their careers as the No. 53 Marshall University tennis team (17-5) took down the University of Pittsburgh (8-12) 7-0 on Friday evening.
The two wins for Kellner were the 131st and 132nd of her career, while Kissell tallied her 108th and 109th wins, putting both of them in the top-20 for all-time career victories. Kellner (82-27 – .752 – three years) will leave with the third highest singles winning percentage in program history. Kissell (55-19 – .743 – two years) has the fourth highest percentage for MU.
The Thundering Herd began the evening by taking all three doubles matches for an early 1-0 advantage. Kissell and teammate Kristina Koprcina won an 8-5 decision on court one over Adams/Catanzariti. Court two action saw Kellner and Maria Voscekova defeat Lu/Borza 8-3 while Kara Kucin and Karli Timko rounded out the sweep with an 8-2 triumph over Evans/Washington on court three.
Singles play outside at the Brian David Fox Tennis Courts was cut short due to rain as the two sides were forced to finish inside. Only Kucin in fifth singles was able to finish her match prior to the rain with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Karma Parbhu.
Playing in the first and second singles positions, Kissell and Kellner made quick work of their opponents as Kissell won on court one 6-1, 6-3 over Elizabeth Adams and Kellner winning a 6-1, 6-2 decision over Gabrielle Catanzariti.
Koprcina took a 6-3, 6-3 victory in third singles, Voscekova won a 6-0, 6-2 match in fourth singles, Kucin, as before mentioned won in fifth singles, while Timko completed the sweep in sixth singles with a 6-3, 6-0 victory.
“Catherine and Michaela are two of the best players we have ever had here at Marshall,” head coach John Mercer said. “Their consistency was remarkable. They are going to be sorely missed next year but it has been a pleasure to work with them.”
The Herd is slated for the three-seed and a first-round bye in the upcoming Conference USA Tournament which begins this Wednesday, April 21st at UCF.