PASADENA, CA (March 9, 2009) – In the opening match of its five-stop tour of the Los Angeles area, the Vassar College women's tennis team started things off strong, with an 8-1 win over Occidental College on Monday. After three smooth doubles matches, the Brewers took the momentum into their well-played singles matches as they remained undefeated in the spring.

The Brewers improve to 3-0 in the spring, 6-1 overall, and will continue their California competition with a 9:30 a.m. (PST) match against Kenyon College on Tuesday.

"I was so pleased with our performance playing outside for the first time this spring,” said head coach Kathy Campbell. “Our play reflected improvement in many areas we've been working on since January. It was a great way to begin our spring break trip."

Following a one hour and 15 minute rain delay, the Brewers started off well as all three doubles pairs swept through their matches.

"All our doubles pairs played extremely well in our first match outside since last October,” said Campbell. “The team adjusted very well to the slower outdoor courts and the longer points. The doubles teams worked so well together in structuring the points and putting the ball away."

In a match with many momentum swings, No. 1 Nicole Pontee (Homewood, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor) pulled out a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4) win in over her opponent Kris Subbiah.

“The first set was marked by continuous service breaks from both players,” explained Cambell. “Nicole held serve at 5-6 in the first set after leading 5-4 to force a tiebreak. Clinching the tiebreak, she then built a 5-2 lead in the second set with the Oxy player fighting back to force another tiebreak. Nicole played extremely aggressive tennis with accuracy and her Oxy opponent had many answers. In the end Nicole's attacking service returns and consistency in gaining good net position were key factors in her win today against an excellent Oxy player.”

Freshman Jennifer Beckerman (Santa Barbara, CA/Santa Barbara), senior Alexis Jacobson (New Canaan, CT/New Canaan) and sophomore Elizabeth Anderson (San Francisco, CA/Lick-Wilmerding) picked up quick wins at No. 2, 4, and 5 singles, respectively.

"Alexis and Jennifer kept continuous pressure on their opponents playing very 'clean' matches in which their precise shot making dictated the entire time,” Campbell said. “Elizabeth played consistent, smart and composed tennis as her Oxy opponent retrieved every ball and forced long points. Elizabeth remained very focused and chose excellent opportunities to get to the net.”

At No. 6 singles, senior Jamison Steele (Newport Beach, CA/Corona del Mar) elicited praise from Campbell, who felt “Jamie played one of the best singles matches in her Vassar career. She covered the court so
well, was consistent at the baseline and won many points at the net."

On a day with impressive performances from top to bottom, Vassar played well even in its lone loss, as freshman Joy Backer (Del Mar, CA/Torrey Pines) dropped a 1-6, 6-3, 1-0 (4) match at No. 3 singles.

“Joy executed very well in the first set, setting up the points and moving the ball consistently,” said Campbell. “She fought hard throughout the entire match and in the end, her Oxy opponent raised her game and made fewer errors.”

Doubles
1. Nicole Pontee/Jamie Steele, Vassar d. Kris Subbiah/Jen Wahba, Oxy 8-1
2. Joy Backer/Krista Romita, Vassar d. Taylor Kaplan/Marissa Cassman, Oxy 8-3
3. Jennifer Beckerman/Alexis Jacobson, Vassar d. Taylor Gould/ Ying, Oxy 8-2

4. Nicole Block/Caroline Dunn-Rankin, Vassar d. Frances Hutton/Rachel Washtien, Oxy 8-1 (exhibition)

Singles
1. Nicole Pontee, Vassar d. Kris Subbiah, Oxy 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4)
2. Jennifer Beckerman, Vassar d. Jen Wahba, Oxy 6-1, 6-1
3. Marissa Cassman, Oxy d. Joy Backer, Vassar 1-6, 6-3, 1-0 (4)
4. Alexis Jacobson, Vassar d. Taylor Kaplan, Oxy 6-0, 6-0
5. Elizabeth Alexander, Vassar d. Katrina Gould, Oxy 6-2, 6-3
6. Jamie Steele, Vassar d. Frances Hutton, Oxy 7-5, 7-6 (3)