POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 8, 2010) – Following exceptional performances in the pool and on the courts, three Vassar athletes representing women's swim-dive and women's squash earned Liberty League weekly honors on Monday. Women's swim-dive freshman Shannon Sara was named the Swimmer of the Week, while sophomore Meg Taylor and freshman Alexa Lichtenstein represented women's squash with Performer and Rookie of the Week honors, respectively.

Shannon Sara, Freshman, Women's Swimming and Diving Swimmer of the Week
In a debut season that has been full of first place finishes, Sara had a typically strong outing at the Skidmore Sprint Invite on Saturday, recording three individual wins, in the 500 Free (5:30.72), 400 IM (4:50.39), and 200 Free (2:02.99). Although she has been named Rookie of the Week on four occasions, this is the first career Swimmer of the Week honor for Sara.

Meg Taylor, Sophomore, Women's Squash Performer of the Week
Upping her winning streak to six matches, Taylor went 2-0 at the No. 6 spot at the Seven Sisters Squash Championship, hosted by Vassar on Saturday. In the Brewers' 9-0 semifinal win over Smith, Taylor defeated Anna Reznickova, 3-0 (11-4, 11-0, 11-2). Taylor had one of Vassar's two wins in the championship match, as Mount Holyoke defended its title for the fourth straight year, winning 7-2. She improved to 10-1 on the season with a four-game (9-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8) win over Paulina Rajek. A three-time Rookie of the Week, this is Taylor's second Performer of the Week honor.

Alexa Lichtenstein, Freshman, Women's Squash Rookie of the Week
Lichtenstein went 2-0 at the No. 7 spot for host Vassar at the Seven Sisters Championships on Saturday, improving her winning streak to six matches and her season record to 10-1. In Vassar's sweep of Smith in the semifinals, Lichtenstein recorded a 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-1) win over Jasmine Wallas. In the title match against Mount Holyoke -- which defended its title for the fourth straight year with a 7-2 win over Vassar -- Lichtenstein recovered from a two-game deficit to win in five games, 5-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 12-11, over Lila Khan. This is the third consecutive Rookie of the Week honor for Lichtenstein.