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POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 26, 2009) – The dynasty continues. In posting a dominant 8-1 victory over Skidmore this morning on the Joss Courts, the Vassar College women's tennis team earned an unprecedented seventh straight Liberty League Championship. In spite of the nearly tropical heat, the Brewers were almost perfect in their second day of competition, and the victory will likely propel them to a seventh straight berth in the NCAA National Tournament. Vassar finishes the regular season with a 17-4 record, a New York State Championship, and, of course, more Liberty League hardware for the trophy case.

The title was a fitting farewell to Vassar's three graduating seniors, Alexis Jacobson, Krista Romita, and Jamison Steele—all of whom played and posted victories in their final home match today. Throughout their four years as Vassar athletes, the three have helped post a 68-18 overall record, won four straight New York State and Liberty League Championships, earned All-League Academic Honors, and received three bids to the NCAA Tournament—the fourth and final will likely be announced on Monday, May 4.

Junior Nicole Pontee also finished her season just as she did last year, as the Liberty League Championship MVP. Pontee's 6-1, 6-1 win over Skidmore's Danika Robison (South Burlington, VT/South Burlington) was, appropriately, the fifth and clinching win for Vassar and pushes her season record to 24-4.

All of these honors came under the tutelage of head coach Kathy Campbell, whose teams have seen unrivaled success in her tenure. She has received great support from assistant coach Mark Chace.

“We definitely elevated our level today,” said Campbell. “All three of our doubles just played amazing. As a team, this is definitely the best match I can remember as far as all of our doubles teams playing really well at the same time.”

The doubles play gave the Brewers a 3-0 edge at the start of the match. The top two pairs were representative of the seniors passing the torch—Steele teamed up with Pontee at the No. 1 spot and won 8-4, and Romita and freshman Joy Backer posted an 8-6 victory. At the No. 3 spot, Jennifer Beckerman and Jacobson won 8-2.

In singles, Vassar played with similar dominance. Skidmore was able to snag its lone victory at the No. 6 spot, with Stephanie Abrams (Avon, CT/Loomis Chaffee) knocking off Steele 6-2, 6-4. At No. 5, Tory Engros (Bronxville, NY/Bronxville) got one set from Vassar's Elizabeth Anderson, but the Brewer sophomore still pulled out a 6-3, 4-6, 10-5 win.

At the No. 4 slot, Jacobson completed what was one of the most dominant singles seasons in Vassar history. Her 6-2, 6-3 victory over Laura Attley (Chatham, NJ/Chatham) rounded out a 21-4 record this year and a 53-9 career record. Add in her 20-2 doubles record, and Jacobson has gone 73-11 over the past four years—a .869 winning percentage.

Both Romita and Steele said they felt they would leave the team in good hands come their May graduation.

“The team gets stronger every year,” said Romita. “Everybody just steps up when we graduate certain seniors. It gets better every year. We're a team that will fight all day long and always want to get better.”

“I've really enjoyed playing for Mark and Kathy,” added Steele. “I can't imagine playing for another coach. They're always extremely supportive on and off the court—they've been my parents away from home.”

Romita echoed the sentiment.

“I've made other friends, but you spend hours and hours a week with this group and the quality of our relationship is just so high,” said Romita. “The team made Vassar a place where I felt like I lived, not just where I went to school.”

“[The seniors] have been such tremendous influences on me,” said Pontee. “They've inspired the team; they exemplify camaraderie and they've been great teammates to everyone. They're really going to be missed.”

Doubles
1. Nicole Pontee/Jamie Steele (VC) def. Danika Robinson/Rachel Loeb (SC), 8-4
2. Joy Backer/Krista Romita (VC) def. Stephanie Abrams/Allie Burns (SC), 8-6
3. Jennifer Beckerman/Alexis Jacobson (VC) def. Laura Attley/Tory Engros (SC), 8-2

Exhibition Doubles
4. Nicole Block/Caroline Dunn-Rankin (VC) def. Caroline Sherman/Lindsay Hartley, (SC), 8-1

Singles
1. Nicole Pontee (VC) def. Danika Robinson (SC), 6-1, 6-1
2. Jennifer Beckerman (VC) def. Rachel Loeb (SC), 6-4, 6-0
3. Joy Backer (VC) def. Allie Burns (SC), 6-1, 6-0
4. Alexis Jacobson (VC) def. Laura Attley (SC), 6-2, 6-3
5. Elizabeth Anderson (VC) def. Tory Engros (SC), 6-3, 4-6, 10-5
6. Stephanie Abrams (SC) def. Jamie Steele (VC), 6-2, 6-4