BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State University head tennis coach David Purpura has been selected as the 2016 Little East Conference Women's Tennis Coach of the Year.

In his first season as the Bears' skipper, Purpura guided his squad to the program's sixth Little East regular season championship and fifth Little East Tournament title.

The BSU women's tennis team wrapped up the fall portion of the 2016-2017 season with an overall record of 11-5 with a 7-1 conference mark. The Bears edged #2 seed Rhode Island College, 5-4, in the Little East Tournament championship match to earn a spot in the 2017 NCAA Division III Tournament which will take place next May.

Under Purpura's guidance, juniors Bojana Roman and Alison Scagnelli were both named to the Little East All-Conference Team. Roman at first team singles, and Scagnelli and Roman at second team doubles. 

Purpura marks the second BSU women's tennis coach to receive the Little East Coach of the Year award and first since Barry Gorman earned the accolade in 2012. Gorman also garnered coach of the year honors in 2010.

2016 Little East Conference Women's Tennis All-Conference Team (PDF)