PROVIDENCE, R.I - The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth women's tennis team was tabbed third overall in the 2025 Little East Conference (LEC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league on Thursday. The Corsairs collected 47 total points in the preseason poll to secure third in a field of nine teams.
UMass Boston was picked as the conference favorites for the third straight year after garnering 62 total points and six of the possible nine first-place votes. Rhode Island College collected 59 total points and the remaining three first-place votes to take second overall in the preseason poll. The Corsairs edged fourth ranked Brigdewater State University (44) in the poll while Salem State University rounded out the top-five with 30 total points.
The Corsairs finished the 2024 campaign with an 8-8 overall record and a 4-4 mark in Litlle East action. Head coach Doug Chapman, entering his 12th season at the helm, welcomed five newcomers to the 2025 squad along with seven returners. Among the incoming class is first year
Mya Dean who was a three-time South Shore League All-Star selection while playing at Middleboro High School. She was also named the South Shore Most Valuable Player in 2024. Additionally, first year
Ava Aguiar, first year
Gianna Doiron, and sophomore
Alyson Tobias each earned All-Star recognition in their respective leagues.
Junior captain
Maddie Gonzalez returns after securing her second consecutive All-LEC Singles honors during the 2024 season. She finished the year with a 6-7 overall record along with a 4-3 conference record on the season, all at No. 1 singles. She opened the 2024 campaign with a 4-1 singles record highlighted by a three-set comeback win against Clark University on Sept. 10 to clinch the fourth straight victory for the Corsairs. The Pawcatuck native concluded the year with 16 total wins across singles and doubles play, good for second most victories on the squad. She also posted two 6-0, 6-0 sweeps this season on Sept. 14 at Plymouth State University and on Oct. 10 at Southern Maine University.
Senior
Zuri Walters capped off the 2024 season by collecting her first-ever All-LEC and Sportsmanship Team honors after owning an 8-7 overall singles record. Her eight wins in singles play ranked second on the team, primarily playing at No. 2 singles along with two matches at No. 1 singles. In doubles action, Walters opened the year with an impressive 3-1 mark securing all three wins with sophomore partner
Sofia Beltran. She picked up her second career win at No. 1 doubles on Sept. 10 against Clark defeating their opponents by a score of 6-3. Walters also sealed her first collegiate victory at No. 1 singles in 2024 on Oct. 10 versus Suffolk University.
Sharing the captain duties with Gonzalez is junior
Saige Croce who finished the 2024 campaign with a 5-10 singles record, primarily coming from the No. 5 spot. Croce kicked off the year strong with a 3-0 singles win streak featuring a pair of 6-0 second set sweeps on Sept. 3 versus Lesley University and on Sept. 7 against VTSU Castleton.
UMass Dartmouth host Curry College for their 2025 season home opener on Saturday, August 30. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. from the Corsairs Tennis Courts.
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