Western New England Selected to Finish Sixth in CCC Preseason Coaches' Poll
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 22, 2017) - The Western New England University men's tennis team has been selected to finish sixth in the 2017 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, which was released today by the league office.
Western New England received 34 points on its way to sixth place in a vote of the CCC's nine head coaches. Five-time defending conference champion Nichols was picked to repeat with six first place votes and 78 total points, while Endicott (64) and Roger Williams (61) finished second and third, respectively, with one first place vote each. Eastern Nazarene recieved the final first place tally, checking in at No. 4 with 59 points, and Gordon was picked fifth with 53 points. Wentworth (25), Salve Regina (21) and Curry (10) rounded out the final three spots in the poll.
Coming off the program's fifth consecutive appearance in the CCC Quarterfinals last season, Western New England is seeking its first semifinal appearance since 2010-11 this spring under 14th-year head coach Jenn Kolins.
Despite losing the top two players in its singles lineup to graduation, Western New England returns an All-CCC performer from a year ago in sophomore Justin Kohut (South Windsor, Conn.). Kohut enjoyed an impressive freshman campaign in 2015-16, going 12-1 at No. 4 singles and 6-8 at No. 1 doubles on his way to All-CCC Second Team accolades. Senior Brian Grohe (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and juniors Nick Raschilla (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and Kevin Yawgel (Cromwell, Conn.) will also play key roles for the Golden Bears in 2017.
Western New England opens its spring slate with a non-conference match at Norwich on Saturday, March 4, before kicking off CCC play with a home contest against Endicott on Saturday, March 25.
