AMHERST, MA (January 23, 2010) – The No. 16-ranked Vassar College women's squash opened 2010 with two thrilling 5-4 matches, defeating No. 18 Franklin & Marshall College before falling to No. 21 Colby College on Saturday at the 2010 Squash Invitational hosted by Mount Holyoke, Smith, and Amherst. In their win over Franklin & Marshall, the Brewers picked up big wins at the top of the ladder, winning the No. 2, 3, and 4 matches.

The Brewers now stand at 5-3 and host Middlebury College on Saturday, January 30 at 10:30 a.m.

Against Franklin & Marshall, Vassar held a 4-2 lead following victories from No. 8 freshman Alexa Lichtenstein, No. 6 sophomore Meg Taylor, No. 3 freshman Libby Pei, and No. 2 junior Kristine Bell. That made senior Hope Blinkoff's match at No. 4 the deciding spot for the Brewers. Blinkoff recorded a strong 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 win over Diplomat Sheena Suckoo.

Lichtenstein performed well in her win, grinding out a 12-10 victory in the third and final game after winning, 11-4 and 11-2 in the first two games. Bell (11-5, 11-7, 11-8) and Taylor (11-6, 11-2, 11-7) had strong 3-0 matches and Pei did an impressive job rebounding from an 11-8 loss in her first game to pick up the 3-1 win.

In her exhibition match, sophomore Nina Punukollu showed impressive resolve in winning 21-19 in a first game marathon, but she eventually fell, 3-1.

In their last matchup Vassar edged Colby, 5-4, and this year's edition was close again. The Mules took wins at the top four spots in the ladders, while Vassar had wins at Nos. 5-8. Heading into the final two matches, the No. 4 and No. 7 spots, the Mules held a 4-2 lead and although No. 4 Molly Parsons defeated Blinkoff to seal the win for Colby, senior Anna Licht had a gritty five game win at No. 7 after returning to the court following illness.

Licht and Lichtenstein had impressive five-game wins at No. 7 and 8 respectively. Both Brewers won their first two games and after dropping the next two, battled back for the decisive win. Lichtenstein picked up her second victory of the day with a commanding 11-2 win over Colby's Kaelely Shepard in the fifth game, while Licht ground out a tough 12-10 fifth-game victory over Mule Jessica Kravitz.

At  No. 6 Taylor notched her second win of the day, wearing down her Colby opponent Jae Palk with a 12-10, 11-7, 11-1 win. Senior Caitlin Ly also won in three games at No. 5, 11-7, 11-4, 11-9.

Vassar 5, Franklin & Marshall 4

1. Morgan Smith (FM) def. Emilie Kraft (VC), 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-9)
2. Kristine Bell (VC) def. Ellie Foster (FM), 3-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-8)
3. Libby Pei (VC) def. Katherine Barnes (FM), 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9)
4. Hope Blinkoff (VC) def. Sheena Suckoo (FM), 3-0 (11-7, 11-4, 11-6)
5. Chelsea Ross (FM) def. Caitlin Ly (VC), 3-1 (11-4, 10-12, 11-5, 11-9)
6. Meg Taylor (VC) def. Tanya Arora (FM), 3-0 (11-6, 11-2, 11-7)
7. Courtney Mulligan (FM) def. Anna Licht (VC), 3-2 (11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 6-11, 11-9)
8. Alexa Lichtenstein (VC) def. Stephanie Tzarnas (FM), 3-0 (11-4, 11-2, 12-10)
9. Gabriel Robinson (FM) def. Olivia Mak (VC), 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-5)
Exhibition:
10. Dana Russo (FM) def. Nina Punukollu (VC), 3-1 (19-21, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8)

Colby 5, Vassar 4

1. Samantha Smith (CC) def. Emilie Kraft (VC), 3-1 (7-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9)
2. Kate Pistel (CC) def. Kristine Bell (VC), 3-1 (11-0, 11-9, 10-12, 11-8)
3. M. Dufour (CC) def. Libby Pei, 3-0 (12-10, 11-7, 11-5)
4. Molly Parsons (CC) def. Hope Blinkoff (VC), 3-1 (6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-1)
5. Caitlin Ly (VC) def. Caroline Reaves (CC), 3-0 (11-7, 11-4, 11-9)
6. Meg Taylor (VC) def. Jae Palk (CC), 3-0 (12-10, 11-7, 11-1)
7. Anna Licht (VC) def. Jessica Kravitz (CC), 3-2 (11-8, 11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 12-10)
8. Alexa Lichtenstein (VC) def. Kaelely Shepard (CC), 3-2 (11-4, 11-9, 11-13, 6-11, 11-2)
9. Alison Crevi (CC) def. Olivia Mak (VC), 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-6)
Exhibition:
Nina Punukollu (VC) def. Lily Greenberg (CC), 3-1 (11-4, 6-11, 11-4, 11-8)