BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women's tennis team has been picked to finish in third place in the Little East Conference (LEC) standings as the 2022 Little East Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches Poll was released by LEC Associate Commissioner, Daryl Konicki.

The Bears received 54 points in the poll with one first place vote. Rhode Island College is the preseason favorite to capture the Little East title as the defending champion Anchorwomen recorded 60 points including four first place votes. UMass Boston picked up the other four first place votes as the Beacons finished second in the poll with 56 points.

Under the guidance of head coach Dave Purpura (7th Year), the Bridgewater State women's tennis team opened preseason camp on Monday, August 22nd. The Bears finished in second place in the 2021 Little East standings with a 7-1 conference mark (13-3 overall).

Returning All-Little East Conference selections Vanessa Rosa (Gr., Taunton, Mass.), Abigail Ramer (Jr., Sherwood, Ore.) and Madeline Von Ruden (So., Ashley Falls, Mass.) will help lead Bridgewater State in 2022. Von Ruden became the Bears' first LEC Rookie of the Year since the league began sponsoring the award in 2008.

Also returning to the roster from a year ago are Allison Carter (Jr., Raynham, Mass.), Rebecca Hamel (So., Windham, Maine), Erin Lally (Jr., Danvers, Mass.) and Mackenzie Silveira (Sr., Middletown, R.I.). Lally and Silveira will serve as captains this season.

The Bears will open the season on Friday, September 2nd when they host the Pride of Regis College at three o'clock. The Little East schedule gets underway on Saturday, September 10th as the Bears the Bears travel to Castleton University for a one o'clock match with the Spartans.