POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 19, 2009) -- Following a weekend of overall success for Vassar athletics, seven athletes were honored by the Liberty League on Monday.
Click here to read about Vassar's successful Saturday. Sophomore
Johanna Spangler and freshman
Kelly Holmes represented women’s cross country as the Performer and Rookie of the Week, respectively. Senior
Brian Bianchetti was named the men’s soccer Offensive Performer of the week, while women’s soccer freshman
Ali Higgins earned Rookie of the Week honors. For women’s tennis, senior
Nicole Pontee was honored as the Performer of the Week while Vassar swept the women’s volleyball awards with sophomore
Amy Bavosa named the Performer of the Week and freshman
Hilary Koenigs named Rookie of the Week.
Johanna Spangler, Sophomore, Women’s Cross Country Performer of the Week
Spangler became the first Vassar women's cross country runner in 11 years to win the Seven Sisters Championship. In the process, she led the Brewers to a second place finish, the best showing since the race was formed in 1982. Spangler bested a field of 83 runners with a 18:44 clocking in the 5000 meter race, a sizable 12 seconds faster than the second place finisher from Smith. For her efforts she was named All-Seven Sisters for a second straight year. This season, Spangler has five top five finishes, including three first place outings and one second.
Spangler has now been named the cross country Performer of the Week three times this season.
Kelly Holmes, Freshman, Women’s Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Holmes secured very meaningful points for Vassar in the annual Seven Sisters Championship. Her 12th place finish, third overall for Vassar, helped the Brewers finish in second place, the school's best showing since the race began in 1982. Holmes finished the 5000 meter race in 19:49 and was just two places off being named All-Seven Sisters in a field with 83 competitors.
This is the third week Holmes has been named Rookie of the Week.
Brian Bianchetti, Senior, Men’s Soccer Offensive Performer of the Week
Bianchetti scored two goals in Vassar's only game this week, a 3-0 win over Farmingdale State. He notched his first goal late in the first half to give the Brewers a 2-0 halftime lead, and then capped Vassar's scoring in the 63rd minute with his team and league-leading 11th goal.
This is the second consecutive week Bianchetti has been the Offensive Performer of the Week, and the third time this season.
Ali Higgins, Freshman, Women’s Soccer Rookie of the Week
Higgins had a strong performance in goal in Vassar's only game of the week, a 3-2 win over Elmira. She made an array of difficult, acrobatic stops, recording 11 saves in goal in 90 minutes of play. Higgins now has 51 saves this season, good for third best in the league.
This is the second Rookie of the Week honor for Higgins.
Nicole Pontee, Senior, Women’s Tennis Performer of the Week
Pontee defended her titles at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles at the New York State Championships this weekend. Ranked No. 1 in the top singles flight, Pontee received a first round bye, then defeated Hallie Mabrey (Union) , 6-2, 6-1 in the quarterfinals, No. 4 Christina Nunez (Ithaca), 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals, and earned a 6-3, 6-2 win over No. 3 Frances Tseng (Rochester) for the title match. Pontee is 10-2 in singles play this season. Teaming with partner Joy Backer, Pontee also defended her doubles title with three close wins, including an 8-6 victory over Nataly Mendoza/Danika Robison (Skidmore) in the championship match.
Pontee, the 2007 and 2008 Liberty League Player of the Year, has been named Performer of the Week four times this season and a remarkable 19 times in her career. In the most recent Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings, Pontee is ranked No. 12 nationally and No. 4 in the Northeast Region.
Amy Bavosa, Sophomore, Women’s Volleyball Performer of the Week
Bavosa had an efficient three-match stretch for Vassar. She led the team with 35 kills (4.38 per set) and hit .424 in three victories. In 66 attack attempts in eight games, she had only seven errors, and hit .667 and .516 against Mount St. Mary and Bard. Bavosa contributed seven digs and five blocks for the Brewers who have won six straight and stand at 16-5 on the season.
This is the first career Performer of the Week honor for Bavosa.
Hilary Koenigs, Freshman, Women’s Volleyball Rookie of the Week
At setter, Koenigs continued her impressive play, leading the Brewers to a 3-0 week and now winners of six straight. She totalled 80 set assists, an 8.89 per set average. Koenigs contributed with 21 digs (2.33 dps) and seven total blocks.
Koenigs has earned weekly award on six occasions this season, a five-time Rookie of the Week as well as the Performer of the Week once.