Feb. 27, 2007

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina women’s tennis team looks to rebound from a pair of losses over the weekend to N.C. State and Clemson when it hosts Marshall at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Maxcy Gregg Tennis Center. It marks just the second all-time meeting between the two schools, as Carolina won a 5-2 decision versus the Thundering Herd in 2004.

The Gamecocks stand at 5-2 this season after starting with five consecutive victories against the likes of East Tennessee State, Furman, Davidson, Winthrop and South Carolina State. Marshall has already played 13 matches in 2007 and stands 9-4 riding a four-match winning streak.

Several Gamecocks own impressive singles records, with Ana Marija Zubori leading the way at 18-3. Her status for Wednesday’s match is questionable, though, after suffering a sprained ankle in practice last week and sitting out singles competition versus N.C. State and Clemson. Zubori did participate in doubles in the loss to the Tigers playing with Gira Schofield. The duo is currently ranked No. 41 in the nation.

Miranda Gutierrez has put up a 16-5 slate in her final year as a Gamecock, going 4-1 in dual matches as well. Laura Ganzer, also a senior, has played her way to a 14-6 record and is 5-2 in duals. Christyn Lucas has double-digit victories with an 11-5 record that includes just one loss in dual competition.

Kellie Schmitt headlines the Thundering Herd with a 28-6 record in singles while going 19-7 in doubles. Schmitt is currently ranked 28th in the nation and has eight victories against opponents currently ranked by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. She is 11-1 in dual matches playing the No. 1 position and has won 14 of her last 15 contests. Schmitt is ranked No. 27 in doubles as well with Lynzee Kever as her partner.

After Marshall, South Carolina opens SEC play hosting Mississippi State on Friday at 2 p.m. and Mississippi at the same time Sunday.