UMass Dartmouth returns 5 of its 6 singles players giving the Corsairs plenty of depth and experience

(Dartmouth, MA) -- UMass Dartmouth women's tennis coach Ralph Perry will be making very few changes to his starting lineup this season because 5 of his top 6 singles players are back for another season.

Last season, a relatively young and inexperienced Corsair squad posted a 6-8 won-loss record and placed fifth in the annual Little East Conference championships. One year later, however, the Corsairs are a year older and more experienced as they get ready for the 2001 season.

With so many returnees back for another season, Perry has only a couple of question marks in this year's starting lineup.

Senior co-captain Dana Feinstein (Franklin, MA), who saw plenty of competition last year at #1 singles leads the returning players. She will be joined by senior Sarah Clapp (Norfolk, MA) at #3 singles, sophomore Dena Haden (Sagamore Beach, MA) at #4, junior Coryne Preston (N. Attleboro, MA) at #5 and sophomore Erin Peters (Charlton, MA) at #6.

Preston finished the season with a record of 6-7, while Peters posted a 6-8 mark. Preston led the team with a total of 120 games won and 12 set victories. Peters was second in games won with 97 and tied with Preston with 12 set victories. Clapp had a record of 5-9 in singles with 96 game victories, one behind Peters in third place on the team. Feinstein (4-7), Haden (4-6) and sophomore Michaela O'Connell (Harrisville, MA) (4-1) tied for third in wins with four each. Overall, the Corsairs finished the 2000 season with a 33-50 record in singles play.

In addition to the returning 5 starters from last season, Perry will also welcome back 2 other players who could break into the starting lineup. Junior Heather Guertin (Holden, MA) and junior Melissa Walsh (Watertown, MA), who returns after missing last season due to an injury, should also be in contention for some playing time this season.

Among the other players also contending for a spot in the starting rotation are juniors Laura Normandy (E. Orleans, MA), and Lauren O'Neil (Franklin, MA), along with first-year players Andrea Ronghi (Springfield, MA) and Emily Morettini (Bristol, RI).

"With all of our returning starters plus a few newcomers to the program we should have a very intense pre-season. We have 10 women contending for the 6 singles positions," said Perry, who is entering his third season with the Corsairs. "I'm looking forward to what I think could be a very respectable season for us."

UMass Dartmouth opens its season at home against Eastern Nazarene College on September 6 at 4:00 p.m.

First-year assistant coach Mary Bourque, a former standout tennis player for the Corsairs, will join Perry this season.

UMass Dartmouth Women's Tennis 2001 Schedule

September

6       Eastern Nazarene                (H)     4:00PM
11      Roger Williams          (A)     4:00PM
13      Wheaton College         (A)     4:00PM
15      Western Connecticut             (H)     1:00PM
18      Johnson and Wales               (H)     4:00PM
20      Salem State College             (H)     3:30PM
22      Plymouth State          (A)     1:00PM
25      Salve Regina            (A)     3:30PM
26      UMass Boston            (H)     3:30PM
29      Rhode Island College            (H)     1:00PM

October

4       Bridgewater State               (H)     3:30PM
6       U. of Southern Maine            (A)     1:00PM
9       Connecticut  College            (A)     3:30PM
11      Newbury College         (H)     3:30PM
13      Little East Conf. Champ.        (A)     TBA
14      Little East Conf. Champ.        (A)     TBA
16      Worcester State                 (A)     3:30PM
20      Curry College                   (H)     1:00PM