POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 7, 2009) – Jumpstarted by a strong showing in doubles play, the Vassar College women's team carried momentum into singles competition as it picked up an 8-1 win over crosstown rival SUNY New Paltz at the Walker Field House on Wednesday evening.

The Brewers improve to 2-1 and will host Union College on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. in their final dual match of the fall season before the New York State Championships, October 16-18. The Hawks, who were on a seven-match winning streak, drop just their second match of the season to fall to 9-2. They will return to action this weekend in the SUNYAC Championships.

In three doubles matches, the Brewers dropped just four games. The No. 1 doubles team of senior Nicole Pontee and sophomore Joy Backer swept their New Paltz opponents, Stephanie Schara and Lindsey Garyn, 8-0. At No. 2 doubles, sophomores Jennifer Beckerman and Nicole Block were nearly as dominant, recording an 8-1 victory over Montana Wilson and Kayla DiPaulo. The closest doubles match was at No. 3, as freshman Natalie Santiago and senior Caroline Dunn-Rankin downed Lyndsey Lovinger and Kerri Serkes, 8-3.

“Doubles is something we've focused on,” said head coach Kathy Campbell. “Our players have been really attentive in working on their formation and sticking their volleys. We've seen a lot of improvement in those areas.”

Assistant coach Mark Chace agreed that the Brewers continue to make strides at doubles. “We're really looking for opportunities and becoming more aggressive,” said Chace. “All the teams have really improved in ending the point at the net.”

The Brewers carried the momentum of their doubles wins into singles play, where they won five of the singles matches.

“In singles play we were structuring points really well which is great to see because it's something we've worked a lot on,” said Campbell.

Pontee continued her impressive play with a convincing 6-1, 6-0 victory over Schara. Pontee is 6-1 in singles play. At No. 5 singles, freshman Jennifer Ruther halted Ingrid Maryansky's streak of 13 consecutive wins – a single season record for a New Paltz player – with a 6-1, 6-1 win.

“Jennifer was structuring her points well,” said Campbell. “She executed and hit a lot of finishing shots of short balls.”

The Hawks picked up their win at No. 4 singles as DiPaulo downed junior Elizabeth Anderson in a hard fought 7-6(5), 0-6, (10-7) match.

“New Paltz has some really nice depth. They've made a lot of improvements and continue to get stronger each year,” said Campbell, adding “It's been nice to have this stretch of three dual matches in one week leading up to the New York State Championships. We had a lot of time to practice early on in the season, so these matches give us a chance to put all that into effect.”


Singles
1. Nicole Pontee (VC) def. Stephanie Schara (NP), 6-1, 6-0
2. Jennifer Beckerman (VC) def. Montana Wilson (NP), 6-3, 6-3
3. Joy Backer (VC) def. Lindsey Garyn (NP), 6-1, 6-1
4. Kayla DiPaulo (NP) def. Elizabeth Anderson (VC), 7-6(5), 0-6, (10-7)
5. Jennifer Ruther (VC) def. Ingrid Maryansky (VP), 6-1, 6-1
6. Natalie Santiago (VC) def. Alli Esposito (NP), 6-1, 6-3

Exhibition Singles
7. Nicole Block (VC) def. Mackenzie Riley (NP), 6-1, 6-0

Doubles
1. Nicole Pontee/Joy Backer (VC) def. Stephanie Schara/Lindsey Garyn (NP), 8-0
2. Jennifer Beckerman/Nicole Block (VC) def. Montana Wilson/Kayla DiPaulo (NP), 8-1
3. Natalie Santiago/Caroline Dunn-Rankin (VC) def. Lyndsey Lovinger/Kerri Serkes (NP), 8-3

Exhibition Doubles
4. Elizabeth Anderson/Alyssa Roush (VC) def. Alli Esposito/Mackenzie Riley, 8-5
5. Melanie Horn/Jennifer Ruther (VC) def. Lyndsey Lovinger/Kerri Serkes, 8-3