POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 20, 2008) – Facing defending National Champion Williams College in its season opener, the Vassar College women's tennis team put forth a strong effort, but fell 8-1 to the Ephs at the Joss Tennis Courts on Saturday. The Brewers' lone win came impressively in number one singles, as Nicole Pontee defeated Cary Gibson, ranked second nationally in Division III.

Pontee (Flossmoor, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor), herself ranked 25th in Division III, defeated Gibson (Augusta, GA/Augusta Prep) 6-3, 6-3.

“Nicole's win was huge,” said head coach Kathy Campbell. “She really played her game.”

Pontee and Jamison Steele (Newport Beach, CA/Corona del Mar) teamed up at number one doubles to take on the Ephs duo of Gibson and Nikki Reich (Westfield, NJ/Westfield). Although playing with a different partner this season, Gibson was part of a Williams doubles team that ranked ninth nationally last year. Pontee and Steele refused to be intimidated, however, as they were serving for the match at 7-6. However, Gibson and Reich came up with a crucial game to even the score at seven, and eventually escape with a 9-7 win.

“We played with such confidence and were moving forward and closing the nets so well,” said Campbell of Pontee and Steele's match. “We constructed the points very well and we put tons of balls away. It was a really high level of play on that court, a pleasure to watch.”

Campbell also praised the play of Joy Backer (Del Mar, CA/Torrey Pines), Elizabeth Anderson (San Francisco, CA/Lick-Wilmerding), and Alexis Jacobson (New Canaan, CT/New Canaan) at number two, three, and four singles, respectively.

“They did some things in the second set that showed that we have tools we can use late in matches,” Campbell said. “We were able to shift the momentum our way.”

Overall, Campbell was pleased with her team's season-opening performance against the defending National Champions.

“We feel like we competed well and we're excited about where we are at this point and how we can build on that,” Campbell said. “As a team we constructed the points so well today and we made them beat us, we didn't give them a lot of free points. The ladies feel really positive as a group. I'm proud that they came in and were not intimidated by Williams.”

Vassar falls to 0-1 on the season and next competes at the International Tennis Association (ITA) Regional Tournament at Massachusetts Institute of Technology this Friday through Sunday. The Ephs improve to 2-0.

Williams 8, Vassar 1

Doubles
1.Cary Gibson/Nikki Reich (Williams) def. Nicole Pontee/Jamie Steele (VC), 9-7
2.Kristin Alotta/Taylor French (Williams) def. Joy Backer/Krista Romita (VC), 8-3
3.Annie Hancock/Ashley Parsons (Williams) def. Alexis Jacobson/Jennifer Beckerman (VC), 8-1

Exhibition
1.Caroline Capute/Genny Loomis (Williams) def. Elizabeth Anderson/Caroline Dunn-Rankin (VC) 8-1

Singles
1.Nicole Pontee (VC) def. Cary Gibson (Williams), 6-3, 6-3
2.Nikki Reich (Williams) def. Joy Backer (VC), 6-3, 6-2
3.Ashley Parsons (Williams) def. Elizabeth Anderson (VC), 6-3, 6-0
4.Kristin Alotta (Williams) def. Alexis Jacobson (VC), 6-1, 6-4
5.Annie Hancock (Williams) def. Krista Romita (VC), 6-0, 6-2
6.Katie Friedman (Williams) def. Jamie Steele (VC), 6-1, 6-2

Exhibition
1.Taylor French (Williams) def. Jennifer Beckerman (VC), 6-3, 7-6 (2)
2.Genny Loomis (Williams) def. Nicole Block (VC), 6-4, 6-2
3.Caroline Capute (Williams) def. Caroline Dunn-Rankin (VC), 6-0, 6-0