PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Rhode Island College women’s tennis team was named the unanimous favorite to once again claim the Little East Conference (LEC) title after picking up each of a possible eight first-place votes for 64 total points in the 2021 LEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
 
The Anchorwomen went undefeated during through the regular season LEC tournament, posting a 10-1 overall record after falling to Emory in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. RIC returns five starters from last year’s squad, a group led by two-time LEC Player of the Year Jenna Lisi. Senior captain Victoria Vittori and sophomore Lauren Macera also garnered all-LEC honors a year ago; Macera was named the LEC Rookie of the Year.
 
UMass Boston, which was unable to participate last season, earned the No. 2 spot in the preseason coaches’ poll after totaling 52 points. The Beacons return a pair of starters from the 2019 team that went 14-2 overall while placing second in the LEC during the regular season and was runner-up in the conference tournament - senior Meaghan Moriarty and junior Evangelia Vassiliadis.
 
The complete preseason coaches’ poll ranking is as follows:
 
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.