The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth women's tennis team was selected to finish sixth by the head coaches in the Little East Conference (LEC) preseason poll, which was released on Friday.
UMass Dartmouth received 37 points in the poll. Five-time reigning conference champion Rhode Island College was honored with the top spot with 60 points and four first-place votes. Following the Anchorwomen were UMass Boston with 56 points and four first-place votes and Bridgewater State, who collected 54 points and final top vote. Four through nine went to Plymouth State (47 pts.), UMass Dartmouth (37 pts.), Salem State (24 pts.), Western Connecticut (23 pts.), Southern Maine (13 pts.) and Castleton (10 pts.).
The Corsairs have three returners that saw action last season. Senior McKenzie Ferrari posted a 7-5 record in singles, including 5-3 in LEC matches, with three victories in the No. 5 spot and one playing as the No. 4, Ferrari picked up three wins in doubles competition as well. Senior Alanna O'Connell was 7-7 last season in both singles and double competition, while Junior Ailey Riddick finished 7-5 in singles last season and 8-5 in doubles. Expected to make an immediate impact is junior transfer IsaBella Winter from Nichols College. Winter is a two-time All-Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) selection, including earning First-Team honors in singles in 2020.
The Corsairs begin the 50th season of women's tennis at UMass Dartmouth at home on Sept. 1 at 3:30 p.m. against Lesley.
LEC Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Place | Team (First-Place Votes) | Points |
| 1. | Rhode Island College (4) | 60 |
| 2. | UMass Boston (4) | 56 |
| 3. | Bridgewater State (1) | 54 |
| 4. | Plymouth State | 47 |
| 5. | UMass Dartmouth | 37 |
| 6. | Salem State | 24 |
| 7. | Western Connecticut | 23 |
| 8. | Southern Maine | 13 |
| 9. | Castleton | 10 |
Original source can be found here.
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