2019 Women's Tennis Preview

2019 Women's Tennis Preview

SALEM, MASS. – Madeline Allaire '19, a former All-Little East selection at singles and doubles, begins her inaugural season as head coach of the Vikings less than a year removed from the court. Allaire, a three-year player at first and second singles, replaces Dan McCormick, who guided Salem State to a 9-7 record in 2018 and a third place conference finish.

With a 25-16 career mark at first and second singles, Allaire will rely on her success as a player and her familiarity with the program to re-energize a team that last appeared in the conference championship in 2012.

RETURNING PLAYERS

This season the Vikings will feature the league's most dominant player Anastasia Startseva (Volgograd, Russia), who was the (LEC) Player and Rookie of the Year. Startseva returns after an undefeated conference campaign (9-0), finishing the fall season 14-1, which included a 13-match winning streak.  Caroline Robitaille (South Hadley, Mass.) and Hannah Dahrouge (South Hadley, Mass.) both had break through performances in 2018; combined for nine wins in singles play in their first year competing at third and sixth singles, respectively. They will provide valuable experience and skill as there will be opportunities to compete at a higher flight.   

Co-captains Meredith MacDonald (Lynn, Mass.) and Caroline Robitaille (South Hadley, Mass.) posted winning records in conference last season, and together contributed 13 victories for the Vikings, showing incredible leadership on and off the court. Both players made a significant impact on the playing surface and with their fellow Salem State teammates, and are ideal players to help mentor and motivate the 2019 squad.

Two new additions to the roster are senior Alexandria Floyd (Burlington Mass.) and former NEC North Player of the Year, freshman Daphne Pineda (Lynn Classical/(Lynn Mass.).

COACH'S QUOTE

"Our goal this year will be to continue to make a name for ourselves in the Little East Conference, and I have no doubt that by the end of this season we will finish at the top end of our conference."

Salem State opens their season at Castleton on Saturday, September 7th at 1:00 PM.