POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 3, 2009) - Sophomore Jennifer Beckerman celebrated her 20th birthday in style on Saturday with two impressive wins as the Vassar women's tennis team dominated the New York University Violets 9-0. The rain moved the match indoors to Walker Field House where the Brewers used the fast surface to their advantage.

At doubles, the no. 1 team of senior Nicole Pontee and sophomore Joy Backer controlled the net for an impressive 8-0 win over NYU's Elizabeth Stachtiaris and Lisa Mijovic. Vassar's Caroline Dunn-Rankin and Natalie Santiago comfortably defeated Brittany Ciavarella and Becky Kumar 8-3 at the no. 3 doubles spot. However, the match that earned the Brewers the doubles sweep was not won as easily.

At no. 2 doubles, Beckerman and sophomore Nicole Block trailed 6-4 and a break against NYU's Liz Feldman and Lena Krups until their forehands came alive and they rolled through 4 straight games to seize the match 8-6.

“NYU is much more solid than 9-0 score might indicate,” said head coach Kathy Campbell, “We came out strong and aggressive right away.”

Following up her close doubles win, Beckerman used punishing groundstrokes en route to a 6-2, 6-0 singles win at the no. 2 spot over NYU's Liz Feldman. At No. 3 singles, Backer employed a crafty all-court game to knock off Lena Krups of NYU 6-2, 6-4.

Coach Campbell was pleased with all the singles players and how the team rebounded from a tough season-opening loss at defending champion Williams College.

“Coming off our loss to Williams, the team stayed very positive and came away with a lot of good things and it showed today," said Campbell.

The Vassar women's tennis faces SUNY New Paltz at home this Wednesday at 4 p.m.


Doubles:
1. Nicole Pontee/ Joy Backer (VC) def. Elizabeth Stachtiaris/ Lisa Mijovic (NYU) 8-0
2. Jennifer Beckerman/ Nicole Block (VC) def. Liz Feldman/ Lena Krups (NYU) 8-6
3. Natalie Santiago/ Caroline Dunn-Rankin (VC) def. Brittany Ciavarella/ Becky Kumar (NYU) 8-3

Singles:
1. Nicole Pontee (VC) def. Elizabeth Stachtiaris (NYU) 6-0, 6-2
2. Jennifer Beckerman (VC) def. Liz Feldman (NYU) 6-2, 6-0
3. Joy Backer (VC) def. Lena Krups (NYU) 6-2, 6-4
4. Elizabeth Anderson (VC) def. Lisa Mijovic (NYU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Jennifer Ruther (VC) def. Tiffany Thong (NYU) 6-2, 6-0
6. Natalie Santiago (VC) def. Brittany Ciavarella (NYU) 6-2, 6-0

Exhibition Singles:
Alyssa Roush (VC) def. Tiffany Thong (NYU) 6-0
Nicole Block (VC) def. Becky Kumar (NYU) 6-1, 6-0