POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 16, 2009) – It was a successful week on the courts for Vassar athletes, as six Brewers representing basketball and squash were honored by the Liberty League on Monday. Both basketball teams opened their seasons at home with wins on Sunday, as sophomore Caleb McGraw was named the Guard of the Week and freshman John Donnelly was honored as the Rookie of the Week for the men's team, while sophomore Kristyn Tempora earned Forward of the Week honors and freshman Olivia Westbrook-Gold was named the Rookie of the Week for the women's team. Representing men's squash, which won its match against Bard on Wednesday, junior Mehdi Naqvi was the performer of the week and freshman Andrew Lindsay earned his second consecutive Rookie of the Week honor.

Caleb McGraw, Sophomore, Men's Basketball Guard of the Week
McGraw poured in a career-high 37 points in leading Vassar to a 78-66 opening season victory over Endicott. McGraw topped his previous high of 26 points with a 20 point first half effort and 12 of his 17 second half points in six minute stretch when Vassar took control of the game. He shot 12 of 26 from the field, 9 of 10 from the free throw line and had four rebounds. This is McGraw's first career Guard of the Week honor, after being named Rookie of the Week once last season.

John Donnelly, Freshman, Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Donnelly had a strong collegiate debut, scoring 9 points (3-6 from the field, 3 of 4 from the line) as he helped lead the Brewers to 78-66 victory over Endicott. Donnelly added four rebounds, two at each end, and a pair of steals to his performance.

Kristyn Tempora, Sophomore, Women's Basketball Forward of the Week
Tempora matched a career high with 23 points to lead Vassar to a season-opening 95-89 win over Centenary, the top scoring team in Division III last season. It was Vassar's highest-scoring game in the last ten years. Tempora scored 16 second half points to help the Brewers overcome an eight-point halftime deficit. Tempora also had eight rebounds and three assists. This is the first Forward of the Week honor for Tempora, a two-time Rookie of the Week last season.

Olivia Westbrook-Gold, Freshman, Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week
In her collegiate debut, Westbrook-Gold scored 12 points in 19 minutes of play, to help Vassar defeat last year's top scoring team in Division III, Centenary, 95-89 in the season-opener. Westbrook-Gold netted all her points in the first half and had five crucial points in the closing 70 seconds of the half to help Vassar go into the locker room trailing a reasonable eight points, after facing a 14-point deficit late in the first half. Westbrook-Gold also contributed two assists and two steals.

Mehdi Naqvi, Junior, Men's Squash Performer of the Week
Naqvi won his match at the No. 1 position as Vassar swept Bard, 9-0, to improve to 2-0 on the season. Against Bard's Dylan Coburn, Naqvi won in four games, 11-9, 5-11, 11-4, 11-6. This is Naqvi's first career Liberty League award.

Andrew Lindsay, Freshman, Men's Squash Rookie of the Week
At the No. 6 spot, Lindsay remained unbeaten as he swept his opponent from Bard, as Vassar downed Bard 9-0. Lindsay defeated Andy Hoffman-Pantalona 11-8, 11-2, 11-6. Lindsay is 2-0 and has not dropped a game yet this season. This is the second consecutive week Lindsay has been named the Rookie of the Week.