May 1, 2007

IRVING, Texas - Marshall sophomore Kellie Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa.) capped off an outstanding season in 2007 by being named the Conference USA Player of the Year in an announcement made by the conference office on Tuesday. Karolina Soor (Lindesberg, Sweden) earned second-team All-C-USA honors, and Schmitt and doubles partner Lynzee Kever (Edmond, Okla.) were also honored as one of three all-conference doubles teams.

Schmitt, who also was an All-League first-team selection, is currently C-USA's only ranked singles player, coming in at No. 75 in the latest FILA/ITA rankings. Schmitt was 18-6 in singles this spring, including a 3-2 mark against ranked opponents. She carried a 17-11 doubles record in dual matches, with most of her action coming at the No. 1 doubles line. Schmitt was ranked as high at No. 18 and the sophomore was also named C-USA Women's Tennis Player of the Week two times this season. Schmitt was named the league's Freshman of the Year in 2006 and was also named to the first team last season as a freshman.

Soor made the All-C-USA second team after finishing the spring season 20-7 in singles play and 19-8 in doubles competition. She played most of the season in the number two singles slot behind Schmitt. Soor also defeated two nationally ranked opponents and had key wins over Virginia, Ohio State, South Alabama, Virginia Commonwealth, and Louisiana State this season.

Schmitt and Kever were honored as one of three all-conference doubles teams after an outstanding 2006-07 campaign. They were ranked as high as 27th this season and were the only doubles team in Conference USA to be ranked during the year. Schmitt and Kever defeated #3-ranked doubles team Kim Coventry and Joelle Schwenk of Kentucky, 8-4, and had a record of 11-6 this season, while facing six ranked teams.

"We're very excited for Kellie, Karolina, and Lynzee," Marshall head coach John Mercer said. "They are all very deserving of the recognition in a very competitive and nationally known tennis conference.

"Kellie being named Player of the Year in this league is quite an honor," continued Mercer. "She's had a great season and played some tough competition. She's a hard worker, and it's good to see that hard work pay off with an award like this."

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