Vassar College Athletics

ITHACA, NY (October 17, 2009) – The title rounds of singles play at the New York State Women’s Tennis Championships, hosted by Ithaca College at Cornell University’s Reis Center, will have a distinctly Vassar feel on Sunday. Vassar players in five out of the six singles flights made it through quarterfinal and semifinal play on Saturday to advance to the championship round.

The Brewers fared just as well in the quarterfinals of doubles play, as all three teams advanced to Sunday's semifinal rounds.

Looking to defend her title in the top singles flight, Vassar senior Nicole Pontee picked up a 6-2, 6-1 win over Hallie Mabrey of Union in the quarterfinals, and then ground out a 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 semifinal win over Ithaca’s Christina Nunez. Pontee, seeded No. 1 in the bracket, will facevNo.3 Frances Tseng of Rochester on Sunday. Pontee will also look to defend her No. 1 doubles title, teaming with new partner sophomore Joy Backer after winning last year's title with graduated senior Jamison Steele. Pontee and Backer pulled out a tough 9-8(7-4) win over NYU's Flora Lee and Alexa Wimes in the quarterfinals

Backer at No. 3 singles, and junior Elizabeth Anderson at No. 4 singles, advanced to the finals of their respective flights after earning one tough three-set win and one relatively quick win. Freshmen Jennifer Ruther and Natalie Santiago, playing at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, respectively, showed impressive poise, dropping just five games combined en route to advancing through their brackets to the title match.

At No. 2 doubles, sophomores Jennifer Beckerman and Nicole Block picked up an 8-2 win over Shari Damon and Casey Kennedy of William Smith, while No. 3 doubles junior Caroline Dunn-Rankin and Santiago downed Jess McCue and Katie Serock, also of William Smith, 8-6.

Results and Sunday’s matchups:

No. 1 Singles, No. 1 Nicole Pontee
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: def. Hallie Mabrey (Union) , 6-2, 6-1
Semifinals: def. No. 4 Christina Nunez (Ithaca), 5-7, 6-3, 6-1
Championship: vs. No. 3 Frances Tseng (Rochester)

No. 2 Singles, No. 1 Jennifer Beckerman
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: loses to Alexa Wimes (NYU), 6-2, 6-0

No. 3 Singles, No. 1 Joy Backer
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: def. Danielle Schreck (Rochester), 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5
Semifinals: def. No. 4 Devra Reiman (Ithaca), 6-1, 6-2
Championship: vs. No. 3 Nataly Mendoza

No. 4 Singles, No. 3 Elizabeth Anderson
Round of Sixteen: def. Melanie Cohen (Ithaca), 0-6, 6-2, 10-5
Quarterfinals: def. Brianna Dickie (RPI), 6-2, 6-1
Semifinals: def. No. 2 Lena Krups (NYU), 6-3, 2-6, 6-1
Championship: vs. No. 1 Danielle Fancher (Skidmore)

No. 5 Singles, No. 1 Jennifer Ruther
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: def. Kelly Noble (Nazareth), 6-1, 6-0
Semifinals: def. No. 3 Lisa Mijovic (NYU), 6-1, 6-0
Championship: vs. No. 2 Brittany Trimble (Skidmore)

No. 6 Singles, No. 1 Natalie Santiago
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: def. Julie Burkett (RIT), 6-0, 6-1
Semifinals: def. No. 4 Remy Raevesky (William Smith), 6-0, 6-2
Championship: vs. Flora Lee (NYU)

No. 1 Doubles, No. 1 Pontee/Backer
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: def. Flora Lee/Alexa Wimes (NYU), 9-8(7-4)
Semifinals: vs. No. 3 Alex Goodman/Frances Tseng (Rochester)

No. 2 Doubles, No. 1 Beckerman/Nicole Block
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: def. Shari Damon/Casey Kennedy (William Smith), 8-2
Semifinals: vs. No. 4 Melanie Cohen/Agata Kubik (Ithaca)

No. 3 Doubles, No. 1 Caroline Dunn-Rankin/Santiago
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: def. Jess McCue/Katie Serock (William Smith), 8-6
Semifinals: vs. No. 3 Sarah Hollis/Devra Reiman (Ithaca)