By George Bissell
Sports Editor
Head coach Liz Barrette enters her third year at the helm of the women's tennis team at Rhode Island College. Barrette has compiled an 18-14 record in her first two seasons combined. She guided the Anchorwomen to a 10-6 overall record and a 4-3 (third place tie) mark in the Little East Conference in 2009.
The Anchorwomen reached the 10-win plateau for the sixth time in the past seven seasons last fall. The Anchorwomen will have a difficult time equaling that feat this season mainly because they are returning only two players (junior Gabriella Batek and sophomore Doris Belanger) and from last fall's third place squad.
The key loss for the Anchorwomen this fall is Julie Bannon. She played number one singles as a senior last fall, and closed out her career as an Anchorwoman with a 43-19 (.694) singles record and a 40-24 (.625) doubles record for 63 career points. Bannon is tied for fourth all-time in program history in career singles wins, is sixth in points and seventh in doubles wins.
There are plenty of fresh faces looking to make an impact this year for the Anchorwomen on the court including junior Suzanne Healy-Wurzburg and sophomores Shannon Bilodeau, Kayla Morris, and Kassandra Lima.
The Anchorwomen open up Little East Conference play against a new addition to the conference this fall, Worcester State College. The addition of Worcester State raises the Little East's current membership in women's tennis to nine schools. RIC defeated the Lancers 9-0 in the team's non-conference meeting last year.
Players to Watch
Sophomore Doris Belanger was named First Team All-Little East Conference at No. 6 singles as a freshman last year. She dominated the competition at No. 6 singles piling up 13 wins and only two losses. She also had a winning record (9-6) at No. 3 doubles, totaling 17.5 points last season. Belanger was second on the team in singles wins, doubles victories and points last year.
Junior Gabriela Batek is the most experienced member of this extremely young Anchorwomen tennis squad. She was 12-4 at No. 3 and 4 singles and 7-9 (.438) at No. 1 and 2 doubles, compiling 15.5 points last season. Batek was third on the team in singles wins and points, while tying for fourth in doubles wins last fall.
Can't Miss Game
Saturday, Oct. 16th
RIC vs. UMass Dartmouth
1:00 p.m. at Home
Last year's results
Win 5-2, lost 5-3
The Anchorwomen edged the Corsairs in their season finale, but were knocked out in the first round of the Little East Conference Tournament by UMass Dartmouth just two days later. The two teams close out LEC conference play by meeting for the season finale once again this year in what will be a critical match for both teams.
Women's Tennis Roster
Gabriela Batek- Junior
Doris Belanger- Sophomore
Shannon Bilodeau- Sophomore
Suzanne Healy-Wurzburg- Junior
Kassandra Lima- Sophomore
Kayla Morris- Sophomore
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!