BEVELRY, Mass. – In a vote by the Commonwealth Coast Conference's (CCC) seven head coaches, Suffolk women's tennis has been projected to finish fifth in the CCC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced.
Endicott, three-time defending CCC Champion, claimed the top spot with 45 points thanks to four first-place votes. Nichols, who received the remaining three first-place nods, was just one point shy of the Gulls to slid into second.
Roger Williams (40) and Gordon (26) placed ahead of Suffolk in third and fourth, respectively.
Suffolk shared fifth alongside Western New England as the Rams and Golden Bears had 15 points apiece. Curry rounded out the preseason predictions with 11 points.
The fifth-place projection is the highest preseason rank for the blue-and-gold in the CCC era and highest preseason finish since 2017 when Suffolk was selected fourth in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference's Coaches' Poll.
The Rams, who begin their second season under Drew Goldstein leadership, look to play their way back into the postseason for not only the first time in fiver campaigns, which would be a first for Suffolk in its CCC tenure.
Caren Urbano, an All-CCC Singles Second-Team honoree last season, will look to anchor Suffolk's squad to success. The senior will be complimented by fellow returners Angela Gross, Rachel Hill and Anastasiya Zakharava. A trio of newcomers in freshmen Nia Bebb and Alex Kickham and sophomore Diana Palomino adding depth to the Rams' roster.
Suffolk's 2023 season starts Wednesday, Sept. 6 at Simmons at 3:30 p.m.
2023 CCC Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Team | Points (First Place Votes) | |
| 1. | Endicott | 45 (4) |
| 2. | Nichols | 44 (3) |
| 3. | Roger Williams University | 40 |
| 4. | Gordon | 26 |
| 5. | Suffolk | 15 |
| Western New England | 15 | |
| 7. | Curry | 11 |