July 12, 2008

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University's women's tennis coach John Mercer welcomes junior transfer, Deanna Bailey, from Elon University, and sophomore transfer, Catherine Kellner, from Fordham University, to the upcoming season's line-up.

The Thundering Herd's two transfers makeup coach Mercer's seventh recruiting class at Marshall. The Herd will also return five letterwinners to the line-up.

Bailey is a native of McDonough, Ga. and will be a strong contribution to the line-up. She tallied 18 wins last season at the number one mark. Bailey also helped Elon make its first appearance in the Southern Conference Championship semifinals this past year.

"Deanna is a strong player who has had excellent results against top players at the number one position," Coach Mercer said. "We are excited for her to join us this season."

Kellner hails from Smithtown, N.Y. and will be an asset to the squad. She had only two losses this past season as a freshman. In high school, Kellner took the MVP honor in both her junior and senior years.

"We are thrilled Catherine will be part of our line-up this season," Coach Mercer added. "She was a top-50 freshman recruit in the country and we expect good things from her."

Biographical information on each of the transfers follows:

Deanna Bailey
McDonough, Ga. (Union Grove)-Junior-5'4"
2007-08 at Elon University: Achieved a winning 18-14 slate at No. 1 singles (5-4 in the fall, 13-10 in the spring) and a 21-10 mark at No. 1 doubles (5-3 in the fall, 16-7 in the spring) despite battling injuries...Collected First Team All-Southern Conference honors in both singles and doubles (with partner Anna Milian)...Attained Southern Conference Player of the Week status...Captured the Flight A-1 singles consolation championship at the North Carolina State Invitational...Teamed with Jennifer Tucci to win the Flight A-1 consolation doubles championship at the North Carolina State Invitational...Led Elon to a winning 15-10 record and fifth place in the 10-team Southern Conference...Guided the Phoenix to the program's first appearance in the Southern Conference Championship semifinals.

2006-07 at Elon University: Fashioned an impressive 24-8 record as a true freshman (8-1 in the fall, 16-7 in the spring) at No. 1 singles...Forged a 16-13 ledger at No. 1 doubles (3-4 in the fall, 13-9 in the spring)...Became the first Elon women's tennis player to log First Team All-Southern Conference accolades...Was the first Elon women's tennis athlete to notch Southern Conference Freshman of the Year distinction...Named her team's Most Valuable Player...Earned Southern Conference Player of the Week recognition...Became the first freshman to claim the top flight of the College of Charleston Invitational...Also won the top flight of the Davidson Invitational...Led Elon to a winning 13-10 record and fourth place in the 10-team Southern Conference.

Prep/Juniors: Earned team MVP honors all four years of her high school career...The USTA ranked her as high as No. 6 in Georgia, No. 20 in the South and No. 156 in the nation...Went unbeaten against Georgia high school competition, turning in a perfect 34-0 record...Won a silver ball for being a doubles finalist in the USTA Girls' 14 Winter Super National Tournament during her juniors career.

Personal: Majoring in communications...Daughter of Alvin and Josefina Bailey...Born May 3, 1988.

Catherine Kellner
Smithtown, N.Y. (St. Anthony's) - Sophomore- 5'6"
2007-08 at Fordham University: Compiled a 13-2 record in singles play as a freshman...2-1 at singles number one, 7-1 at the two spot and 3-0 at the number three mark...9-7 at doubles number two position.

Prior to Fordham: Four-year varsity tennis player at St. Anthony's High School...Named team MVP as a junior and as a senior...Recipient of the Duns Scotus Award.

Personal: Daughter of Mary and Herbert Kellner...Major is education...Has one sister...Born November 13, 1989.