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 2024 Little East Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches Poll was released by LEC Associate Commissioner, Daryl Konicki.

The Bears received 47 points in the poll. UMass Boston is the preseason favorite to capture the Little East title as the defending champion Beacons recorded 64 points including eight first-place votes. Rhode Island College picked up the other first-place vote as the Anchorwomen finished second in the poll with 57 points.

Under the guidance of head coach Dave Purpura (9th Year), the Bridgewater State women's tennis team opened preseason camp on Monday, August 19th. The Bears finished in third place in the 2023 Little East standings with a 6-2 conference mark (9-5 overall).

Returning All-Little East Conference selections Madeline Von Ruden (Sr., Ashley Falls, Mass.) and Mackenzie Silveira (Gr., Middletown, R.I.) will help lead Bridgewater State in 2024. Von Ruden, who will captain the team this year, has earned All-Little East honors in each of her first three seasons.

Also returning to the roster from a year ago are Meghan Lotti (Sr., Stoneham, Mass.), Hannah Higgins (Jr., Rockland, Mass.), Yasmine Queen (Jr., Waltham, Mass.) and Samantha Bettencourt (So., Tiverton, R.I.).

Bridgewater State will open the season on Saturday, August 31st when the Bears travel to the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut for a noontime match with the Blue Jays. The home opener is slated for Tuesday, September 3rd (3:30) as the Bears welcome Regis College to the Rosen Courts.

The Little East Conference (LEC) schedule gets underway on Saturday, September 7th when the Bears head to Rhode Island College to take on the Anchorwomen at one o'clock.