The No. 41 Marshall University tennis team (13-4) used the doubles point, along with singles victories on courts three, five and six to grind out a 4-3 victory over Penn State (4-9) Sunday afternoon at the Brian David Fox Tennis Courts.
For the first time in three matches, ace doubles duo of No. 28 Michaela Kissell and Dominika Zaprazna played together and picked up right where they left off. The tandem cruised in first doubles to an 8-3 victory over Bedard/Simidian. The win moved their overall record to 14-0.
Court two secured the doubles point for Marshall, which ended up being crucial. Catherine Kellner and Maria Voscekova proved to be too much for PSU’s tandem of Sandor/Perrotta as MU won 8-5.
Singles was very competitive from top to bottom as three of the six matches went to a decisive third set. Kara Kucin gave the Herd its second point of the day with a victory in sixth singles, defeating Fernanda Perrotta in straight sets 7-6, 6-2.
Voscekova added another singles win for MU as she won on court five, also in straight sets, defeating Marie Bedard, 6-4, 6-2. Kellner wrapped up the team victory with a courageous comeback in third singles, topping Denisa Zobeideh, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
“It was great to win today,” head coach John Mercer said. “They [Penn State] are much better than their record indicates. Now we will try to get healthy over this break.”
The Herd has a much needed break as MU does not play again until April 1st and has a chance to get everyone completely healthy. The Herd will host the Louisville Cardinals and No. 30 VCU that weekend.