GORHAM, Maine – The University of Southern Maine men's tennis team has been picked to place sixth in the 2026 Little East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll with 12 points. Bridgewater State placed first with 34 points and five first place votes followed by Rhode Island College with 31 points and two first place votes.
 
Led by head coach Eric Haase, the Huskies reached the conference tournament last season for the first time since 2022 as the fifth seed. The Huskies graduated the bulk of their lineup, but senior Landon Weaver (Bowdoinham, Maine/ Mt. Ararat) and sophomore Charlie Bitar (Perry, Maine/Calais).
 
Weaver went 5-5 in singles matches last season, mainly playing in the No. 4 and No. 5 slots. He also posted a 4-7 doubles record and went 3-5 while playing with Bitar at No. 3 doubles. Weaver has been a consistent contributor for the Huskies during his three seasons on the team and has 13 career singles wins.
 
Bitar went 3-6 in doubles matches last season and had a pair of wins at No. 6 singles. Junior Kayde Kinaschuk (Calgary, Alberta) also filled in at the No. 6 spot and posted a 2-2 record. Both players bring experience to a young Huskies' lineup.
 
The first match of the season for the Huskies will be on Saturday, February 28 at 3:00 pm at Colby College. The team's first home match is slated for Tuesday, March 24 against the University of New England at 4:00 pm.
 
2026 LEC Men's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Bridgewater State - 34 (5)
2. Rhode Island College - 31 (2)
3. UMass Boston - 27
4. Western Connecticut - 19
5. Salem State - 17
6. Southern Maine - 12
7. VTSU Castleton - 7