CAMBRIDGE, MA (September 20, 2009) -- Facing the No. 1 seed in the semifinals of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Women's New England Championship, Vassar senior Nicole Pontee put forth an impressive battle but was unable to upset Julia Browne of Tufts University on Sunday. Browne picked up a 7-6(4), 6-2 win in the semifinals of the ITA Championship, hosted by Masachusetts Institute of Technology.

Pontee took her No. 4 seed through the first two days of play unbeaten, but in a battle of two All-Americans, Browne, who won the championship last year, emerged victorious. Browne lost in the championship later on Sunday to Williams' Kristen Alotta.

"Both players came out strong from the first point of the match, hitting deep, aggressive shots and moving the ball from corner to corner with accuracy," said head coach Kathy Campbell. "Nicole returned serve exceptionally well putting pressure on Browne's serving games right away."

Pontee rallied to a 5-3 lead in the first set after winning two close games with the set tied at 3-3. Browne battled back to force the tie-break.  The second set was much closer than the score indicated. Browne's superb defensive skills forced Pontee to hit repeated penetrating shots, leading to more errors by Pontee in the second set.

In a career of repeated success at the ITA Championship, this year was Pontee's deepest run in the bracket. As a freshman she advanced to the Round of 16 as an unseeded player where she lost to teammate Debbie Sharnak who then advanced to the semis.  As a sophomore she also made it to the Round of 16 and as a junior she was a quarterfinalist.

Pontee and the Brewers will return to action next Sunday, September 27 when they travel to defending National Champion Williams College.