POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 21, 2009) – Following impressive season-opening performances from men’s and women’s tennis, and a collective 6-0 effort for men’s soccer and women’s volleyball, six athletes representing those teams were honored by the Liberty League on Monday. Seniors
Nicole Pontee (women’s tennis),
Michael Mattelson (men’s tennis),
Brian Bianchetti (men’s soccer), and freshmen
Andrew Guzick (men’s tennis),
Hilary Koenigs (women’s volleyball), and
Chloe McGuire (women’s volleyball) earned weekly recognition from the league in their respective sports.
Nicole Pontee, Senior, Women’s Tennis Performer of the Week
Pontee started her senior season off in impressive fashion, going 4-1 in singles play at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) New England Championships. Seeded No. 4 Pontee won four straight matches to advance to the semifinals, defeating Jamie Haar of Middlebury (6-2, 6-2), Mimi Bell of Amherst (6-4, 6-0), Nikki Reich of Williams (6-2, 6-1), and Emily Lombardi of Bowdoin (6-3, 0-6, 6-0). She faced the No. 1 seed, Julia Browne of Tufts in the semifinals, dropping a tough 7-6(4), 6-2 match. In a career of repeated success at the ITA Championship, this year was Pontee's deepest run in the bracket. In doubles play, Pontee and new partner Joy Backer earned their first official win together in a 9-7 match over Colby in the first round of play.
This week’s award represents the 11th time in Pontee’s career she has been recognized as the Performer of the Week, to go with seven Rookie of the Week awards.
Michael Mattelson, Senior, Men’s Tennis Performer of the Week
Mattelson led Vassar to a 9-0 victory over NYU to start the season, winning both his No. 1 singles and doubles matches convincingly, 7-5, 6-2 in singles, 8-3 in doubles. At the prestigious Middlebury Invitational, he won his consolation single match over Colby's Dan Freeman, 6-0, 6-3 and opening doubles match against Skidmore. He and partner Andrew Guzick fell in the next round against a nationally ranked team from Middlebury.
This is Mattelson’s eighth career Performer of the Week award to go with five Rookie of the Week awards.
Brian Bianchetti, Senior, Men’s Soccer Offensive Performer of the Week
Bianchetti scored three goals in a 2-0 week for the Brewers. He headed in Vassar's first goal in a 3-1 win over Bard on Wednesday and then scored both Vassar's goals in a 2-1 double overtime win against Drew on Sunday. In the comeback win over Drew, Bianchetti scored the tying goal in the 76th minute, and the game-winner off a penalty kick midway through the second overtime period, his team-leading sixth goal of the season.
This is Bianchetti’s third career Offensive Performer of the Week award.
Hilary Koenigs, Freshman, Women’s Volleyball Performer of the Week
Koenigs was named Most Valuable Player of the Union Invitational, leading Vassar to four victories, including wins over Skidmore and Union. Koenigs tallied 136 set assists in the tournament, an average of 11.33 per set. She set a new career best with 37 set assists against Skidmore and now has six straight games with 30 or more assists. Her total game was impressive, as she had 27 digs (2.25), including a career high nine against Skidmore. She added two block solos, 10 block assists and four kills.
Koenigs has received recognition from the Liberty League every week this season, with two previous Rookie of the Week awards.
Andrew Guzick, Freshman, Men’s Tennis Rookie of the Week
Guzick had an impressive start to his collegiate career, winning his debut No. 2 singles match against NYU, the match clinching victory, 6-3, 6-3 over Jason Sacher. He teamed with Mike Mattelson at No. 1 doubles for an 8-3 victory that spearheaded a 9-0 sweep. In the prestigious Middlebury Tournament, he earned a first round doubles victory with Mattelson over Carl-Eric Giardin/Luke Granger of Skidmore, 8-5.
Chloe McGuire, Freshman, Women’s Volleyball Rookie of the Week
McGuire led the Brewers to the Union Invitational title and a perfect 8-0 record on the season. In four games she had 42 kills (3.82) with only 15 attack errors. She had 14 kills against Union and 12 versus Skidmore. In addition to her attack game, McGuire had 37 digs (3.36), a career-high 12 coming against Union. She added six block assists, two block solos and six service aces for Vassar, one of only eight undefeated teams left in Division III.