POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 18, 2010) – Playing in her final match at Joss Tennis Courts, senior Nicole Pontee played with the dominance and expertise she has displayed over the past four years, leading the Vassar College women's team to an impressive 9-0 win over Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Sunday.

The Brewers, ranked No. 22 nationally and No. 7 in the Northeast region in the most recent Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings, improve to 16-2, while MIT, ranked No. 24 in the Northeast, falls to 5-11. With the regular season now complete, Vassar will look to win its eighth straight Liberty League Championship at St. Lawrence next Saturday and Sunday.

“Our confidence is really building, and a strong win like today helps,” said head coach Kathy Campbell. “We're excited for next week.”

Pontee, who is ranked No. 8 individually in the Northeast, faced a formidable opponent at No. 1 singles in MIT's Leslie Hansen, ranked No. 7 in the region. With remarkable efficiency, Pontee defeated the higher-ranked Hansen, 6-0, 6-1, improving to 22-4 in singles. In their final home match of the season, the Brewers honored Pontee, their lone senior. Click here to see her Senior Program.

“Nicole was just totally in synch today,” said Campbell. “She dictated from the first stroke and never let Hansen in the match. That was one of the best matches Nicole has played all year.”

The Brewers swept the doubles competition, as Pontee and sophomore Joy Backer, ranked No. 7 in the Northeast, defeated the No. 12 duo of Hansen and Anastasia Vishnevetsky, 8-4. The freshman No. 3 team of Natalie Santiago and Melanie Horn cruised to an 8-1 victory in just their third match playing together. The closest doubles match came at the No. 2 position, as sophomore Jennifer Beckerman and Nicole Block fought off Melissa Diskin and Bianca Dumitrascu for a 9-8(7-5) victory.

After her lengthy doubles match, Beckerman found herself in a marathon of a No. 2 singles competition, but with darkness steadily coming on, she pulled out the 6-1, 7-6(7-4) win over Vishnevetsky. Backer had an impressive 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 3 singles over the hard-hitting Dumitrascu.

“Joy played a smart match against a powerful player, moving her opponent, keeping the ball low to her and finishing points at the net when she opened the court.,” said Campbell.

Campbell also noted the poise of Santiago, who defeated Diskin, 6-4, 6-3 in a long match.

“I'm very proud of Natalie, she was very steady and played smart today,” said Campbell.

Vassar 9, MIT 0

Doubles
1.) Nicole Pontee/Joy Backer (VC) def. Leslie Hansen/Anastasia Vishnevetsky (MIT), 8-4
2.) Jennifer Beckerman/Nicole Block (VC) def. Melissa Diskin/Bianca Dumitrascu (MIT), 9-8(7-5)
3.) Natalie Santiago/Melanie Horn (VC) def. Anisa McCree/Hillary Jenny (MIT), 8-1
Exhibition
4.) Elizabeth Anderson/Jennifer Ruther (VC) def. Jen Rees/Kerry Weinberg (MIT), 8-4

Singles
1. Nicole Pontee (VC) def. Leslie Hansen (MIT), 6-0, 6-1
2. Jennifer Beckerman (VC) def. Anastasia Vishnevetsky (MIT), 6-1, 7-6(7-4)
3. Joy Backer (VC) def. Bianca Dumitrascu (MIT), 6-2, 6-3
4. Natalie Santiago (VC) def. Melissa Diskin (MIT), 6-4, 6-3
5. Jennifer Ruther (VC) def. Hillary Jenny (MIT), 6-0, 6-0
6. Nicole Block (VC) def. Jenny Dohlman (MIT), 6-2, 6-0
Exhibition
7. Elizabeth Anderson (VC) def. Kerry Weinberg (MIT), 6-2, 6-0
8. Melanie Horn (VC) def. Anisa McCree (MIT), 8-3