POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (March 1, 2010) – Five Vassar athletes showed expertise with their racquets over the past week, as players representing women's squash and men's and women's tennis received weekly Liberty League honors. Women's squash senior Emilie Kraft earned Performer of the Week honors. Representing men's tennis, senior Michael Mattelson and freshman Andrew Guzick were named Performer and Rookie of the Week, respectively, while senior Nicole Pontee and freshman Natalie Santiago earned similar honors for women's tennis.

Emilie Kraft, Senior, Women's Squash Performer of the Week
Kraft went 3-0 for the Brewers playing for the Walker Cup of the CSA Team Championships this weekend as Vassar advanced to the title match, where it dropped a tight 5-4 decision to George Washington University. In Vassar's 8-1 quarterfinal win over Georgetown University, Kraft recorded a 3-1 (5-11,11-6,11-5,11-2) victory. Kraft then earned a clutch win in the Brewers' 5-4 semifinal victory over Franklin & Marshall. Knowing she was playing a must-win match, Kraft avenged an early season loss to Morgan Smith with a 3-1 (11-5, 11-7, 2-11, 11-2) victory. In the title match, Kraft earned a strong 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-3) victory.

Kraft is 10-6 in her senior season, with a career record of 47-25 and will be finishing out her career in Vassar uniform at the CSA Individual Championships this weekend. The 2008 and 2009 Liberty League Player of the Year, Kraft has now been named Performer of the Week on 15 occasions in her career.

Michael Mattelson, Senior, Men's Tennis Performer of the Week
Mattelson spearheaded a big 9-0 victory over Skidmore with impressive victories at both No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. To open play, Mattelson teamed with Ben Guzick to win the doubles competition 8-4, over Luke Granger and Spencer Cheng. He then defeated Granger in singles play, 6-2, 6-2. Mattelson improved his singles record to 13-4 this year and his doubles record to 11-2. Mattelson has been the Performer of the Week five times this season, and 12 times in his career.

Andrew Guzick, Freshman, Men's Tennis Rookie of the Week
Guzick had an impressive performance in Vassar's 9-0 victory over Skidmore at No. 2 and No. 3 singles. In doubles play he teamed with Max Wilner in an 8-4 win over Lorenzo Cabrera and Max Bevan. At No. 3 singles he easily defeated Cabrera 6-1, 6-1. The singles victory raised his first year record to 9-3 and the doubles win improved him to 10-3. This is the third consecutive and the sixth overall Rookie of the Week honor for Guzick.

Nicole Pontee, Senior, Women's Tennis Performer of the Week
Pontee went 2-0 at No. 1 singles and doubles to lead Vassar to a 9-0 victory over Muhlenberg College on Sunday. Pontee and sophomore teammate Joy Backer cruised to an 8-1 win at No. 1 doubles over Caitie Drucker and Sara Sutker. Pontee then recorded a strong 6-0, 6-2 win over Drucker at No. 1 singles. Pontee is 12-2 in singles this season and 9-2 in doubles with Backer. This is the sixth time Pontee has been named Performer of the Week this season, upping her career total to 21.

Natalie Santiago, Freshman, Women's Tennis Rookie of the Week
Santiago continued her strong performance this spring, going 2-0 at No. 3 doubles and No. 4 singles as Vassar defeated Muhlenberg, 9-0 on Sunday. Santiago and junior partner Alyssa Roush picked up a convincing 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles over Chelsey Waldron and Deniz Utzel. Playing at No. 4 for just the second match after playing at No. 6 in the fall, Santiago earned a strong 6-1, 6-1 win over Lindsay Schmidt. Santiago is 7-2 in singles and 6-2 in doubles and has now earned two Rookie of the Week honors.