POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 8, 2007) -- The Vassar College women's tennis team opened its fall season with a 8-1 victory over the Union College Dutchwomen on the Joss Courts, dropping just one game on the sweltering hot afternoon.

The Brewers doubles teams swept their Union counterparts with a combined margin of 24 games to 7. Head coach Kathy Campbell and assistant coach Mark Chace were particularly impressed by their doubles teams' dominance, given that two of the three teams are newly formed duos.

“We set the tone early in the match in the doubles by setting the points up really well,” said Chace. “The teamwork was great. They played just the right shots to set up their teammates.”

Union got its sole victory of the day from junior Roni Brumberger (Scarsdale, NY/Scarsdale), who defeated Vassar's Krista Romita (Baltimore, MD/Roland Park Country Day) in a close match, 1-6, 6-3 (10-8).

Campbell praised the play of her singles players Jamie Steele (Newport Beach, CA/Carona del Mar) and Courtney Burks (Decorah, IA/Decorah), highlighting their ability and willingness to play at the net.

“Jamie and Courtney in particular really did a great job of taking every opportunity to get to the net,” said Campbell. “They were putting balls away very nicely.

“Every year you have a new team and I think it's really nice to see that these girls have continued to gel really well,” added Campbell. “There was just a really great enthusiasm about playing our first match.”

Vassar, now 1-0, will host New York University next Saturday, September 15 at noon on the Joss tennis courts. Union drops to 0-1 on the season and will play Wheaton College tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.

Doubles
1. Elysa Kliman/Krista Romita (VC) def. Jessica Meola/Hallie Mabrey (Union), 8-4
2. Nicole Pontee/Jamie Steele (VC) def. Kathleen Rucci/Roni Brumberger (Union), 8-2
3. Kelly Barnett/Courtney Burks (VC) def. Libby Johnson/Marla Feldman (Union), 8-1

Singles
1. Nicole Pontee (VC) def. Hallie Mabrey (Union), 6-1, 6-0
2. Roni Brumberger (Union) def. Krista Romita (VC) 6-1, 3-6 (10-8)
3. Elysa Kliman (VC) def. Kathleen Rucci (Union), 6-2, 6-0
4. Kelly Barnett (VC) def. Jessica Meola (Union), 6-2, 6-0
5. Jamie Steele (VC) def. Marla Feldman (Union), 6-0, 6-0
6. Courtney Burks (VC) def. Libby Johnson (Union), 6-1, 6-0
Exhibition
1. Liz Anderson (VC) def. Natalie Ullman (Union), 8-1
2. Caroline Dunn-Rankin (VC) def. Natalie Ullman (Union), 6-1