FREDERICKSBURG, VA (May 29, 2010) – In the most competitive quarterfinals match of the NCAA Singles Championships, Vassar College women's tennis senior Nicole Pontee put the No. 1 player from three-time defending champion Williams College to the test, but came up just short as Grace Baljon edged Pontee with a 7-6(7-3), 3-6, 6-2 win on Saturday at the University of Mary Washington.

The match between Pontee, an unseeded player who upset the tournament's No. 1 seed Liz Lewis of Chapman University yesterday in the round of 16, and No. 8 seed Baljon was the only quarterfinal match not decided in two sets. After a tight 7-6(7-3) first set loss, Pontee responded with a 6-3 second set win. However, Baljon opened up a 2-2 tie in the third set and held off Pontee for the 6-2 win to advance to the semifinals.

It was the third career meeting between Pontee and Baljon, with Baljon now holding a 3-0 edge. In the most recent Northeast region Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings, Baljon is No. 3 and Pontee is No. 6. Seven of the eight quarterfinalists were from the strong Northeast region, and all four semifinalists represent Northeast teams. National singles rankings for the 2009-10 season will not be released until June, but Pontee concluded last season No. 12 nationally while Baljon was No. 11.

"We're so proud of the way Nicole played," said head coach Kathy Campbell. "She battled hard to earn her wins and to advance to the quarters for the second time in three NCAA Championships. Playing fearlessly and defeating the No. 1 seed in the Round of 16 in two sets after clinching an extremely close, three-set battle in the first round yesterday is indicative of how tough she is on the court. Every player at this level is excellent, and Nicole really set herself apart from the field with her attacking style of play, her tenacity and her ability to compete."

Pontee went 27-4 in singles this season and concludes her career with an impressive 98-21 record. Additionally, with her round one win on Friday, Pontee received her third consecutive ITA All-America honor, complementing a season in which she also won her third straight Liberty League Player of the Year. Pontee becomes the first Vassar women's tennis player to earn three-time All-American status. Debbie Sharnak '07, was a two-time All-American and five other Vassar players have garnered All-American honors once in their careers. Pontee also holds the school record for most number of matches played in her career (208) and the best winning percentage in a top playing position (82% win record in singles). 

"Aside from her outstanding accomplishments on the court, Nicole is an even better person, team member and leader," said Campbell. "While she will be sorely missed, I know her legacy will continue to be a positive impact in our tennis program. She is a pleasure to coach and is a wonderful teammate to all."

It was Pontee's third straight trip to the NCAA Singles Championships, and the second time she reached the quarterfinals. Pontee advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals after a gutsy three-set opening round win over Kathryn Schmidt of Carleton College, the No. 4 player in the Central region. After dropping the first set 7-5, Pontee picked up a 6-3 second set win, and then edged Schmidt, 7-5, in the decisive set of a match that lasted over two hours.

In the round of 16, Pontee played Lewis, the tournament's No. 1 seed and the No. 1 player in the West region. Pontee took the first set 6-4 after breaking Lewis' serve with the score tied 4-4. In the second set, Pontee took the early 3-0 lead and though Lewis came back to gain a 5-4 advantage, Pontee regained her lead and held on for the 7-5 win.