Marshall Women’s Tennis Signs Transfers for Upcoming Season
The Thundering Herd Welcomes Two New Additions to the Line-Up
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.
