General 8/26/2021 1:38:00 PM

Huskies’ Women’s Tennis Ranked 7th in LEC Preseason Coaches' Poll

GORHAM, Maine-- The University of Southern Maine women's tennis team has been ranked seventh in the 2021 Little East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll announced Thursday by the conference office. Receiving eight first place votes and 64 points, the Rhode Island College Anchormen are expected to finish at the top of the conference this season. Receiving one first place vote and 52 points, UMass Boston is predicted to finish second, followed closely by Plymouth State with 51 points in third.

During their 2020-21 campaign, the Huskies finished with a 0-8 record in the LEC, dropping close matches to Western Connecticut State University (4-5) and Castleton University (3-6). In his fifth year at the head of the Huskies' program, Coach Eric Hasse (USM '94) returns two players from his 2020-21 roster.

Junior Rachel Grome (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) returns to the Huskies' lineup for her second collegiate season. In the abbreviated 2020-21 season, Grome earned a win against Western Connecticut at fourth singles and finished 2-5 at second doubles. Her doubles partner Audrey Richdale (Belfast, Maine/Belfast) will also be on the court again for the Huskies this fall. In addition to her doubles play with Grome, Richdale picked up a win against Western Connecticut playing at fourth singles.

Also back for the Huskies is senior Emma Nassif (Saco, Maine/Thornton Academy) who returns from the Huskies' 2019 roster. During the 2019 season, Nassif, a key member of the Huskies' lineup, played at first doubles and second singles.

The Huskies will open their season the second weekend of September, traveling to UMass-Dartmouth on Saturday, September 11 at 1pm and hosting Husson on Sunday, September 12 at noon.

2021 LEC Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll (FPV)
1. Rhode Island College - 64 points (8)
2. UMass Boston - 52 points (1)
3. Plymouth State - 51 points
4. Bridgewater State - 42 points
5. Salem State - 38 points
6. UMass Dartmouth - 33 points
T7. Southern Maine - 16 points
T7. Western Connecticut - 16 points
9. Castleton - 12 points

NOTE: Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own program.

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