Nov. 6, 2007

IRVING, Texas - The Thundering Herd's junior Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.) earned her third career Conference USA Tennis Player of the Month honor Tuesday for her impressive play in October. Schmitt received two C-USA Player of the Month honors last season in the months of September and October.

Schmitt's three C-USA honors mark the only three C-USA Player of the Month accolades in Marshall women's tennis history.

Schmitt had a singles record of 6-2 and doubles record of 8-2 for the month of October.

"I felt Kellie had a great month in both singles and doubles action," Marshall head coach John Mercer said. "We hope she continues to improve her play."

Schmitt's play in October was very impressive with singles and doubles appearances at the ITA Women's All-American Championships and East Regional Championships. During singles action, Schmitt defeated three nationally-ranked opponents. Also in doubles play, Schmitt teamed-up with teammate Karolina Soor (Lindesberg, Sweden) to defeat three nationally-ranked opponents.

Schmitt notched her most impressive victory during the East Regional doubles finals when the pair defeated the number one nationally-ranked opponent of Megan Moulton-Levy and Katarina Zoricic from William and Mary, to advance to the ITA Indoor Championships.

The East Regional Championship victory was only the second time a pair in Marshall women's tennis history made it to the doubles finals, and it was the first-time a Marshall's duo won in the doubles finals to advance to the National Indoor doubles Championship.

Marshall's Schmitt will join the women's tennis team this weekend at the Kitty Harrison Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C. hosted by the University of North Carolina, and will compete against top-ranked opponents.