POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 6, 2009) – With a two-time Liberty League Coach of the Year at the helm and a two-time Liberty League Player of the Year at the top of the ladder, the Vassar College women's squash team is poised to build on a successful 2008-09 season in which it won its first ever Liberty League title and finished the season with an 11-8 record, the most wins since 2003-04.

Head coach Jane Parker, entering her tenth season, is in the admirable position of returning three All-Liberty League First Team members, two-time Liberty League Player of the Year senior Emilie Kraft, senior Caitlyn Ly, and junior Kristine Bell, as well as two All-League Honorable Mention players, senior Hope Blinkoff and sophomore Meg Taylor. With such a talented and experienced core of returners, Parker can set her sights high. However, Parker cautions that despite the many accolades earned by the 2008-09 squad, the Brewers must not become complacent.

"We do indeed have experience heading into the season, but we will need to truly apply ourselves and take it match by match," said Parker.

A defense of the Liberty League title, winning at least three matches against formidable Mount Holyoke College at the Seven Sisters Championships, and moving up to the B Division at the Howe Cup are three concrete goals for the Brewers this season. Last season the Brewers placed third in the Walker Cup (C Division) and were ranked No. 19 in the nation. In the 2009-10 preseason rankings, the Brewers are No. 18.

Leading the Brewers is co-captain Kraft who went 16-6 at the No. 1 spot last season and was named the Liberty League Performer of the Week seven out of eight possible weeks during the course of the year.

"Emilie is very talented and defeated some Division II No. 1 players last year so we are counting on her to be consistent," said Parker. "But we need everyone to work to get wins, we need a complete team effort."

Ly and Blinkoff will serve as the other captains, providing crucial leadership to a squad that welcomes seven first-years. Additionally, Bell, who went 11-6 at the No. 2 and 3 spot last season, will be an important contributor, as will Taylor, who had an impressive debut season, compiling an 11-8 record at the No. 6 spot and earning three Rookie of the Week honors.

Freshman Elisabeth Pei, who was a four-year letter winner at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, is expected to make an immediate impact and compete for a spot in the top of of the order.

"Libby has a good background in squash and is a very dedicated player," said Parker.

Helping to add depth to the middle and bottom of the ladder, freshman Alexa Lichtenstein, Sanam Khanna, Jill Levine, Avery Siciliano, and Amanda Scott will all compete for spots.

The Brewers have just one match – Saturday's meeting with Haverford – to prepare for the Liberty League Championships, hosted by St. Lawrence University on November 21-22. Another key date on the schedule is the Seven Sisters Championship, where the Brewers have finished second to Mount Holyoke for three consecutive years and were swept in the title match, 9-0, last season. Vassar can take heart in the fact that it will host the Championships this season, as the Brewers went 6-0 on their home Kenyon Courts last year.