Athlete of the Week | Sharnak aces opponents during senior tennis season

Emma Carmichael Assistant Sports Editor

As senior co-captain of the women’s tennis team, Debbie Sharnak ’07 has done more for Vassar’s program than perhaps any player in its history. Sharnak has played at the number one singles spot for almost her entire Brewer career, and has established herself as a force on a national scale. She is now ranked sixth by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association in the Northeastern region, and recently defeated Emory’s Richelle Marasigan, who is ranked third in the Atlantic South Region and sits atop a team currently ranked second in the nation (www.itatennis.com).

This season, Sharnak’s play at the number one singles spot and the number one doubles spot (with teammate and co-captain Kelly Graham ’07) has raised Vassar’s national ranking to 16—its second highest ever. With only two regular season matches remaining, the Brewers hope to qualify for what will be Sharnak’s fourth National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship tournament.

Sharnak began her career at Vassar with a strong first season, highlighted by a 23-5 record at the number one spot and the Liberty League Rookie of the Year title. She has continued to play at this high level. This season she was named Liberty League Player of the Year and became the first Vassar tennis player to win the number one singles slot at the New York State Championships.

Over spring break, Sharnak and the team went to southern California to take on some of the top teams in the country. On March 13, she faced off against Emory’s number one singles player, Richelle Marasigan. While the team lost in a close 6-3 decision, Sharnak posted possibly the most impressive victory of her career, defeating Marasigan 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(5) in a three-hour, back-and-forth match.

“She played number one on their team last year when they won nationals and they’ve won four in a row,” said Sharnak of her opponent. “We had a really close match with a third set tie breaker. It was a really nice match. I had a good mental comeback and I was really thrilled about that.”

Sharnak says that she wouldn’t have enjoyed the same success she has seen throughout her Vassar career were it not for the support she receives from her teammates. Although tennis is largely an individual sport, it has a team foundation that is essential to collective achievement. Her teammates feel the same about her. “On court, [Sharnak] is a very strong competitor and a dedicated captain. She never gives up on herself or anyone. She always supports and cheers for the team throughout matches, encouraging us and boosting morale,” said Nicole Pontee ’10, a rookie player who has had her own success at third singles this season.

This Saturday, April 14, the Brewers will host the seniors’ final home match against Skidmore College at noon. It will be Sharnak’s final match on the Vassar courts and the team’s second to last match before NCAA Championships.

“I can’t believe it’s almost over, with our senior match is this weekend,” said Sharnak. “I’ve had a really great career here and I think the past four years the team has done better consistently than they have ever done before.”

While Sharnak agrees that a fourth straight bid for the NCAA tournament would be “the perfect way to end [her] career,” she emphasized that above all, she has gained a confidence in her play and ability to contend with any competition she may face.

“Most importantly, I’m really happy with how I’m playing when I get out there. It’s nice to win but it’s a whole different thing to go out there with confidence and be happy with your performance.”