Bridgewater, Mass. — October 23, 2025 — In a thrilling semifinal showdown, the UMass Boston women's tennis team defeated No. 2 Bridgewater State University, 4–3, to secure a spot in the Little East Conference Championship Finals. The Beacons avenged their narrow 3–4 loss from earlier in the season with a determined team performance. 

UMass Boston set the tone early with a strong showing in doubles play. At No. 3 doubles, Maya Rubinstein and Karina Khalsa cruised past Samantha Bettencourt and Fiona Clancy, 6–2. At No. 2, Tatiana Malone and Althea Bradley followed with a 6–2 win over Emma Gibney and Sarah Pothier, giving the Beacons a 1–0 lead heading into singles. 

In singles action, Sandra Watson (No. 2) was awarded a win after Aislyn Kelliher was forced to retire due to injury. Bridgewater State battled back as Pothier defeated Bradley at No. 4, 6–2, 6–3, earning the Bears' first point. At the top spot, Zainab Patel dominated Gibney, 6–0, 6–2, to extend the Beacons' lead, but Ava Alves topped Shreya Saravana Rakshana at No. 5, 6–2, 6–3, narrowing the margin to 3–2. 

At No. 3 singles, Tatiana Malone fought hard in a three-set battle but ultimately fell to Morgan Smith, 6–3, 2–6, 6–3, evening the overall score at 3–3. The deciding match came down to senior Maya Rubinstein, who delivered a clutch performance under pressure. After splitting sets with Bettencourt and trailing 5–4 in the third, Rubinstein rallied to win 6–0, 4–6, 7–5 — clinching the victory for the Beacons and their ticket to the LEC Championship Final. 

The Beacons will now face Rhode Island College in the championship match — marking the fourth consecutive meeting between the two programs in the LEC Finals. UMass Boston has claimed the title in each of the past three years and will look to continue their dominance when play begins Saturday, October 25th, at 1:30 p.m. in Providence, RI.