PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Bridgewater State University men's tennis team was named the favorite to win the 2026 Little East Conference (LEC) title, according to the results of the annual preseason coaches' poll. The Bears totaled 34 points and claimed five first-place votes in the ranking - they return five starters from last year's squad that was runner-up in the regular season standings and conference tournament, including 2025 All-LEC First Team performers Adam Beatrice and Khiem Nguyen, and 2025 Second Team All-LEC selections Tom Ayson and Anthony Lucas. 

Defending LEC regular season and tournament champion Rhode Island College was picked to finish second in the LEC preseason poll, totaling 31 points and garnering the remaining two first-place votes. The Anchormen return a pair of 2025 First Team All-LEC picks in Travis Chartier and Ethan Clegg. UMass Boston was picked to finish third in the conference with 27 points, and will again be led by 2025 LEC Rookie of the Year Dominik Dwyer. 

The complete 2026 LEC Men's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll is as follows. 

Institution - Points (FPV)
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