SCHENECTADY, NY (October 12, 2008) – The Vassar College women's tennis team captured its third straight victory and second consecutive sweep, with a 9-0 win over Union College on Sunday. Vassar breezed through doubles play, dropping just one game in all three matches, as well as an 8-0 victory in exhibition doubles. The Brewers went on to win all of their singles matches in convincing manner as well.

"All four doubles pairs did a tremendous job of setting each other up and hitting excellent finishing volleys,” said head coach Kathy Campbell. “Our first serve percentage was very high and our returns were accurate and forceful, therefore we were able to create offense in both the serve and return games."

With her win at No. 3 singles, freshman Jennifer Beckerman (Santa Barbara, CA/Santa Barbara) remained undefeated in singles play (3-0) this season. She is also 3-1 in doubles play. Fellow freshman Joy Backer (Del Mar, CA/Torrey Pines) picked up a win at No. 2 singles to even her season record at 3-3.

Nationally-ranked junior Nicole Pontee (Flossmoor, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor) notched a win at No. 1 singles to improve her singles record to 7-1 this year. Pontee is ranked No. 25 in Division III.

The Brewers next take to the courts at the New York State Championships, played at Cornell University, beginning this Friday, October 17. Vassar is the six-time defending champion in that tournament. Last year, at the NY State Championship, Vassar players won four of the nine singles/doubles flights and were finalists in two other flights.

"It was nice to have two dual matches this past week [Vassar played SUNY-New Paltz on Wednesday] in preparation for the upcoming NY York State Championship next weekend,” said Campbell.

Singles
1.) #25 Nicole Pontee (Vassar) def. Hallie Mabrey (Union): 6-3, 6-2
2.) Joy Backer (Vassar) def. Kathleen Rucci (Union): 6-2, 6-1
3.) Jennifer Beckerman (Vassar) def. Brittany Miller (Union): 6-2, 6-0
4.) Elizabeth Anderson (Vassar) def. Brittany Gilbert (Union): 6-0, 6-2
5.) Alexis Jacobson (Vassar) def. Andie Coopersmith (Union): 6-0, 2-0, w/o
6.) Krista Romita (Vassar) def. Samantha Griffith (Union): 6-1, 6-0

Exhibition Singles
7. Jamie Steele (Vassar) def. Lexi Burtman (Union): 8-0
8. Nicoloe Block (Vassar) def. Melanie Watman (Union): 8-0

Doubles
1.) Jamie Steele and Nicole Pontee (Vassar) def. Hallie Mabrey and Brittany Miller (Union): 8-0
2.) Krista Romita and Joy Backer (Vassar) def. Kathleen Rucci and Brittany Gilbert (Union): 8-1
3.) Alexis Jacobson and Jennifer Beckerman (Vassar) def. Kristin Ryan and Samantha Griffith (Union): 8-0

Exhibition Doubles
4. Caroline Dunn-Rankin/Nicole Block (Vassar) def. Lexi Burtman/Melanie Watman (Union): 8-0