CANTON, NY (November 21, 2009) -- The Vassar College women's sqaush team took its first step towards defending its Liberty League title, defeating host St. Lawrence University, 8-1 on Saturday in the first game of the league championships.

The Brewers improve to 2-0 and will take on William Smith College for the championship on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Last season, Vassar squeaked by the Herons, 5-4.

Vassar got wins at the top two spots, as senior Emilie Kraft and junior Kristine Bell swept their opponents. Senior No. 5 Caitlin Ly and senior No. 9 Olivia Mak picked up four game wins, with all the other Brewer wins coming 3-0.

Vassar 8, St. Lawrence 1

1. Emilie Kraft VC, def. Sofi Garnett SLU 3-0 (11,3) (11,4) (11,3)
2. Kristine Bell VC, def. Jenn Hearnl SLU, 3-0 (11,8) (11,6) (11,6)
3. Meg North SLU, def. Hope Blinkoff VC, 3-0 (11,7) (11,3) (14,12)
4. Libby Pei VC, def. Jackie Barrett SLU, 3-0 (11,4) (11,3) (11,3)
5. Caitlin LY VC, def. Frances Robinson SLU, 3-1 (11,2) (11-3) (10-12) (11-3)
6. Meg Taylor VC, def. Molly Caplan SLU, 3-0 (11-3) (11-4) (11-3)
7. Anna Licht VC, def. Alyssa Smith SLU, 3-0 (11-8) (13-11) (11-5)
8. Alexa Lichtenstein VC, def. Jessie Ziegler SLU, 3-0 (11-7) (11-2) (11-0)
9. Olivia Mak VC, def. Kendall Harty SLU, 3-1 (11-5) (11-5) (10-12) (11-9)

Exhibition:
10. Jill Levine VC. def. Katie Demakos SLU, 3-2 (7-11) (10-12) (11-6) (11-4) (11-9)