CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Aug. 22, 2016) - The East Coast Conference released its 2016 preseason poll for women's tennis on Monday, and LIU Post was tabbed to finish fourth out of eight squads in the league.

The Pioneers welcome back six letterwinners from last year's team, including reigning ECC Rookie of the Year Shanice Arthur (Brookville, N.Y.). In 2015, Arthur posted a team-best 9-2 singles record and dropped only one match in conference play. Additionally, she boasted the league's top winning percentage (.875) at No. 1 singles.

Head Coach Walter Giacometti enters his second season at LIU Post, after leading the Pioneers to a 6-7 finish and an ECC Tournament appearance in his inaugural year.

New York Institute of Technology was the unanimous favorite in the poll, earning 64 points and all eight first-place votes. Queens College followed in second with 54 points, while University of the District of Columbia (47 points) claimed the No. 3 spot. 

The Pioneers open the 2016 campaign next Thursday (Sept. 1), when they host non-conference foe Goldey-Beacom College for a 2 p.m. first serve at the LIU Post Tennis Courts in Brookville.

2016 ECC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. NYIT (Eight First-Place Votes) - 64 Points
2. Queens - 54 Points
3. Dist. Columbia - 47 Points
4. LIU Post - 42 Points
5. Roberts Wesleyan - 31 Points
6. St. Thomas Aquinas - 22 Points
7. Daemen - 16 Points
8. Molloy - 12 Points