SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (April 11, 2010) – The last time the Vassar College and Skidmore College women's tennis teams faced each other, it was with the Liberty League title on the line, so it was no surprise that Sunday's regular season match was a close one, with the Brewers edging the Thoroughbreds, 5-4 at Skidmore on a windy afternoon.

With their seventh consecutive win, the Brewers improve to 15-2 and will conclude the regular season at home next Sunday, April 18 against Massachusetts Institute of Technology at 3:30 p.m. On the 18th, Vassar will honor its lone senior, captain and No. 1 singles and doubles stalwart Nicole Pontee, who won both her matches against Skidmore, improving to 14-4 with sophomore doubles partner Joy Backer and 22-3 in singles play.

"We got off to a sluggish start overall in the doubles but kept our focus and confidence to build momentum as the match transpired," said head coach Kathy Campbell. "We adjusted to the wind, believed in our games and our team's fighting spirit  was a huge asset. I'm proud of the way we competed and thoughw we have some things to work, our ability to adjust, mental toughness, fitness, and composure were evident today."

The Brewers entered singles play trailing 2-1, but responded by winning four of six singles matches to ice the big win. The No. 1 team of Pontee and Backer earned Vassar's only doubles win, defeating Danika Robison and Nataly Mendoza of Skidmore, 8-4.

In singles, the Brewers got close wins from their top three players. Pontee defeated Robison at No. 1 singles, 6-4, 7-5 and at No. 3 singles, Backer downed Laura Attley, 6-4, 6-4. At No. 2 singles, sophomore Jennifer Beckerman won the closest match of the day, battling back from a first-set loss to defeat Rachel Loeb, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3).

After Skidmore won the No. 6 singles match, evening the score at 4-4, the deciding match came down to No. 5 singles where freshman Jennifer Ruther and Tory Engros were tied 2-2 in the second set after Ruther picked up a 6-3 first set victory. With all eyes turned to the No. 5 match, Ruther dropped the next game, but rebounded to close out the match with a 6-4 win in the second set, improving her impressive freshman singles record to 18-2.

"Jennifer played confident, tough tennis and stayed with her game plan," said Campbell.

Vassar 5, Skidmore 4

Doubles
1. Joy Backer/ Nicole Pontee (VC) def. Danika Robison/ Nataly Mendoza (SC), 8-4
2. Laura Attley/ Tory Engros (SC) def. Jennifer Beckerman/ Nicole Block (VC), 8-3
3. Rachel Loeb/ Brittany Trimble (SC) def. Natalie Santiago/ Melanie Horn (VC), 8-1

Exhibition doubles:
Elizabeth Anderson/Jennifer Ruther (VC) def. Jordan White/Delaney Scollan (SC), 8-4

Singles
1. Nicole Pontee (VC) def. Danika Robison (SC), 6-4, 7-5
2. Jennifer Beckerman (VC) def. Rachel Loeb (SC), 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
3. Joy Backer (VC) def. Laura Attley (SC), 6-4, 6-4
4. Nataly Mendoza (SC) def. Natalie Santiago (VC), 6-2, 6-3
5. Jennifer Ruther (VC) def. Tory Engros (SC), 6-3, 6-4
6. Brittany Trimble (SC) def. Nicole Block (VC), 6-4, 6-4

Exhibition singles:
7. Elizabeth Anderson (VC) def. Jordan White (SC), 8-5
8. Melanie Horn (VC) def. Delaney Scollan (SC), 8-3

Order of finish:
Doubles, 3, 1, 2
Singles:  4, 3, 1, 2, 6, 5