Recap: A year of firsts in Vassar athletics

In just three weeks, after sweating through finals, we will be back in our hometowns enjoying summer vacation. With that in mind, let's take a look back at the year that was in Vassar sports.

In many ways it was a year of firsts for the Brewers. Mike Mattelson '10 became the first singles tennis player in Vassar history to compete in the National Small College Championships when he conquered all challengers at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Northeast Regional over the first weekend in October, defeating rival Patrick Whitner from New York University in the finals, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. Mattelson became one of three Vassar athletes to ever advance to the National Small College Championship. Two years ago, then-freshmen teammates Greg Katz '11 and Max Willner '11 competed as doubles partners for a title.

Mattelson's individual feat was not the only first for the men's tennis team. On March 3, the program earned its first ever ITA national ranking, ascending to the spot of no. 22 with, at the time, a perfect 5-0 record in the spring season. The squad would eventually rise to 9-0 before dropping its first contest of the year to no. 20 nationally ranked Trinity College. Still, the Brewers eventually rebounded to earn their second ever Liberty League Championship (their first was in 2007), sweeping Hobart College 5-0 and St. Lawrence University 9-0 en route to the title. The men's tennis team will attempt to capture more accolades as they continue their season later this year.

The men's tennis team was not alone in its dominance of the Liberty League. The women's squash team also captured a Liberty League Championship. As did the women's tennis team this past Sunday, defeating Skidmore College 6-3 in the championship match to win their 8th consecutive Liberty League Championship. Meanwhile, the men's volleyball team, which competes in the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) Metro Division, also earned a divisional championship, concluding the season with a perfect 9-0 divisional record.

Another Vassar first was earned by men's soccer player Brian Bianchetti '10. Following a campaign which saw the senior tally 11 goals, he was named the Liberty League Player of the Year, as well as chosen for the East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Upstate Men's Soccer First Team. The senior midfielder helped lead the Brewers to a 9-6-1 overall record, with a 3-3-1 conference mark.

Bianchetti was hardly the only Vassar athlete recognized by the Liberty League. Prior to this season, Vassar had only had one women's basketball player selected for the All-League First Team. However, this year, guard Brittany Parks '12 and forward Emily Haeuser '10 both earned the distinction. The two led the program to a school record-tying five Liberty League wins. For Haeuser, the League awards were just the tip of the iceberg. The senior forward was also named to the D3hoops.com All-East Region First Team and the ECAC Division III Upstate Second Team.

Continuing the theme of firsts, Johanna Spangler '12 brought Vassar its first female ECAC Championship in cross country, after finishing in second place last year. Spangler also captured the school's first Seven Sisters title since 1998, leading the Brewers to their first ever runner-up finish in the meet.

While the women's cross country team made great strides in the Seven Sisters competition, other programs finally made it over the hump. The women's tennis team triumphed over Wellesley College in the finals to capture their first Seven Sisters title since 2005. The two team titles for the squad came in addition to a number of individual championships won by members of the squad. Nicole Pontee '10 captured the New York State no. 1 singles and no. 1 doubles championship, teaming with Joy Backer '12 for the latter. Meanwhile, Jennifer Ruther '13 captured the no. 5 singles championship, and Jennifer Beckerman '12 and Nicole Block '12 earned the no. 2 doubles title. The women's tennis team has not yet completed their season as they seek to rack up more honors.
Vassar also had three fencers recognized for their accomplishments. Tavish Pegram '13 and Nick Johnson '12 both garnered first team All-Northeast Conference honors.

Teammate Andrew Fischl '11 finished in 16th place in the sabre competition at the NCAA Fencing Championship, his best finish in the three years he's competed in the event.
Jake Harris '13 competed in the College Squash Association Individual Championships in men's squash, while on the women's side Emilie Kraft '10 and Kristine Bell '11 also competed. Kraft was named the Liberty League Player of the Year, and was joined on the All-Conference First Team by Bell, Hope Blinkoff '10, Caitlin Ly '10 and Libby Pei '13. Pei was also named the Conference Rookie of the Year, while Head Coach Jane Parker earned Coach of the Year honors.

The men's volleyball team was led to their divisional championship by Phil Tully '10, who earned his third All-American honors, being named to the Second Team this year. Tully, who was also the Metro Division Player of the Year, was joined on the Metro Division First Team by Matt Elgin '13. John Konow '13 earned divisional Rookie of the Year honors, while Head Coach Antonia Sweet earned Metro Division Coach of the Year distinctions.

While Vassar has earned numerous distinctions thus far, there are still more to come. Spring athletes continue to compete and will no doubt add to the trophy cases their peers have stocked. Celynne Balatbat '13 has already done just that, winning the women's golf Vassar Invitational and aiding the team in earning the no. 25 national ranking. And with the success that Vassar athletes have had this year, her accomplishment will certainly not stand alone.