POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 12, 2009) – The Liberty League recognized five Vassar athletes on Monday for exceptional play in their respective sports over the past week. Senior Brian Bianchetti was named the Offensive Performer of the Week for men's soccer, senior Michael Mattelson earned men's tennis Performer of the Week honors, senior Nicole Pontee and freshman Jennifer Ruther represented women's tennis with the Performer and Rookie of the Week awards, respectively, and freshman Hilary Koenigs was named the women's volleyball Rookie of the Week.

Brian Bianchetti, Senior, Men's Soccer Offensive Performer of the Week
Bianchetti led the men's soccer team to its first 2-0 Liberty League weekend since 2002 (when it was then the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association). In Friday's 3-1 win over Skidmore, Bianchetti netted the game-winner, volleying in a rebound in the 40th minute. On Saturday, the Brewers upset Union, 3-2, with Bianchetti tying the game at one in the 54th minute after heading in a throw in. Bianchetti leads Vassar with nine goals, four of those game-winners.

This is the second Liberty League award of the season for Bianchetti, bringing his career total to four.

Michael Mattelson, Senior, Men's Tennis Performer of the Week
Mattelson added to his already remarkable senior season with a dominant performance at the Wallach Invitational hosted by Bates this weekend. With three victories, two of which came against strong opponents from NESCAC schools, Mattelson won the A Flight singles and double titles. Running his winning streak to ten straight matches in singles, Mattelson defeated Matt Bettles of Bates 6-3, 7-6(2) in the semifinals and Nick White of Brandeis 7-5, 6-2 in the finals to claim his second straight tournament championship. He teamed with Greg Katz to win the doubles title, 8-5 over Amrit Rupasinghe/Matt Bettles of Bates.

Mattelson has now been named Performer of the Week four times this season, and 11 times in his career along with five Rookie of the Week awards. After winning the ITA Northeast singles title two weekends ago, Mattelson will head to Mobile, Alabama from Thursday through Sunday for the ITA National Small College Championships.

Nicole Pontee, Senior, Women's Tennis Performer of the Week
Pontee won all four of her matches as the Brewers went 2-0 this week. In an 8-1 win over SUNY New Paltz on Wednesday, Pontee had two dominating victories, 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 singles and 8-0 at No. 1 doubles. She had a similarly dominant performance in Vassar's 9-0 sweep of Union on Saturday, with another 6-1, 6-0 win at singles and an 8-1 victory at doubles. Pontee is now 7-1 in singles play.

This is Pontee's third Liberty League award of the season, raising her career total to 18, along with seven Rookie of the Week awards. In the most recent Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings, Pontee is ranked No. 12 nationally and No. 4 in the Northeast Region.

Jennifer Ruther, Freshman, Women's Tennis Rookie of the Week
Ruther had an impressive week at No. 5 singles dropping just three games as the Brewers went 2-0. In Vassar's 8-1 win over SUNY New Paltz on Wednesday, Ruther earned a 6-1, 6-1 win over an opponent who had won 13 consecutive matches. On Saturday, the Brewers swept Union, 9-0, with Ruther picking up a convincing 6-1, 6-0 victory.

This is Ruther's first career Liberty League weekly award.

Hilary Koenigs, Freshman, Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Koenigs was named to the Seven Sisters All-Tournament Team after helping lead the Brewers to the championship for the first time since 1993. She totaled 79 set assists (8.78 per set) out of a possible 82. She contributed 22 digs (2.44), including 10 in the championship win over Wellesley. Koenigs added 10 service aces and six total blocks.

The award marks the fourth time Koenigs has been recognized as the Rookie of the Week, to go along with a Performer of the Week honor.