POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 13, 2009) – The Liberty League honored four Vassar athletes on Monday for their performances representing baseball and men's and women's tennis over the past week. Senior Tyler Bellstrom was named the baseball Pitcher of the Week, his first career award. Representing men's tennis, sophomore Josh Jasso earned Performer of the Week honors, and for women's tennis, freshman Jennifer Beckerman was named Rookie of the Week and junior Nicole Pontee was honored as the Performer of the Week.

Tyler Bellstrom
Bellstrom went 2-0, earning the Brewers both their wins last week. He held a 1.50 ERA and allowed just 10 hits and two earned runs on the week. In an 11-4 win over Purchase on Wednesday, Bellstrom did not give up an earned run and allowed just three hits. Against St. Lawrence on Saturday, Bellstrom pitched a masterful eight innings, scattering seven hits and allowing just two earned runs, with four strikeouts. This is Bellstrom's first career weekly Liberty League award.

Josh Jasso
Jasso had a 2-0 week at No. 4 singles for the Brewers, including an impressive 7-6(6), 6-4 over Tony Carucci, of Tufts, the No. 30th ranked team in the country. Earlier in the week he defeated Division I Fordham's Sotiris Georgiou, 6-2, 6-2. This spring, he has compiled an 11-3 record at the key No. 4 spot. This is Jasso's first career Performer of the Week award. As a rookie he was twice named Rookie of the Week.

Nicole Pontee
At No. 1 singles, Pontee gave Vassar an important win in a 6-3 victory over league rival Skidmore. Pontee and Skidmore's Danika Robison faced off after last playing for the No. 1 singles title at the New York State Championships in October, which Pontee won, 6-4, 6-4. Pontee again got the best of Robison with a 6-4, 6-2 victory, raising her season record to 20-4.

This is the eighth time this season Pontee was named Performer of the Week, bringing her career total to 13 to go with seven Rookie of the Week awards. As a freshman she was the Liberty League Rookie of the Year, and the Player of the Year as a sophomore. In the most recent Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings, Pontee is ranked No. 4 in the Northeast.

Jennifer Beckerman
Beckerman helped Vassar earn a 6-3 win over league rival Skidmore with crucial victories at No. 2 singles and No. 3 doubles. At No. 2 singles, Beckerman picked up a 6-4, 6-2 win over Skidmore's Rachel Loeb, who is ranked No. 45 in the last National Individual rankings. The win improved Beckerman to 14-5. In doubles play, Beckerman and teammate Alexis Jacobson recovered from a 2-4 deficit to notch an 8-6 win. In her strong debut season, Beckerman has been named Rookie of the Week six times.