Weymouth, MA (Oct. 19, 2024) --- For the third consecutive year, the UMass Boston Beacons women's tennis team celebrate as Little East Conference champions with a final score of 5-1 over Rhode Island College 

How it Happened 

• The Beacons finished their conference season undefeated going a perfect 9-0 through the LEC tournament. The Beacons only dropped two matches overall on the year – both on the road. 

Doubles 

• Doubles continued to find success, giving the Beacons a strong start to the championship.  

• Elena Albano and Ayonna Stuppard finished their match first in #2 Doubles, defeating Emilia Houwers and Haylie Peacock 8-6. 

• Number 3 Doubles, Tatiana Malone and Sandra Watson, were close behind finishing with a score of 8-5 for the 2nd win of the night. 

• In #1 Doubles the power duo of Lydia Chan and Zainab Patel took down their opponents, Lauren Macera and Erica Botelho 8-5. 

• Following Doubles the Beacons held a 3-0 team lead over Rhode Island College going into singles. 

Singles 

• Graduate student, Lydia Chan was the first to finish her singles match. Playing in the #2 spot, Chan defeated Erica Botelho 6-1, 6-0 to give the Beacons 4 of their needed 5 total team points to win. 

• In #4 Singles, Haylie Peacock got the lone team point for the Anchorwomen when she avenged her doubles loss against Albano. 

• With only one more team point needed, it was all eyes on courts 1, 3, 5, and 6. Zainab Patel (#1 Singles) and Sandra Watson (#5 Singles) both won the first game in their matches. Ultimately, Zainab Patel would collect the last needed win to secure the Beacons their victory, after taking down Lauren Macera with a score of 6-1, 6-4. 
   

Most Outstanding Player 

• In addition to a 2024 LEC Women's Tennis Championship Title, Zainab Patel was also awarded her second career Most Outstanding Player Award by the League for her performance in today's tournament.