The best word to describe the situation of the UMass Boston women’s tennis team is uncertainty.

That isn’t to say that there aren’t positives or strengths about the team. After all, the Beacons may have the best returning player in senior Kristina Sandelin, who stormed on to the Little East Conference scene last season and helped lead the Beacons to a second place finish in the Little East Conference championships.

As a first year player for the Beacons, Sandelin, who hails from Grankulla, Finland, was practically unstoppable. She had a singles record of 10-1 and a doubles record of 9-1, for an impressive combined total of 19-2. Sandelin received numerous recognitions from the Little East Conference, twice winning the Player of the Week award and once capturing Rookie of the Week.

Sandelin dominated her opponents in impressive fashion. She did not lose a single set in her singles matches in the regular season, paving the way to her number one flight singles crown in the Little East Conference championships last October 13. She also was doubles flight one champion along with departed Tomoko Tabuchi.

Sandelin was not involved in a loss until the NEWITT Championships, when she suffered a 3-6, 0-6 defeat at the hands of Stephanie Fong of Amherst. Fong was perhaps the top player in the New England Division III region last season and she was ranked as one of the top ten players in the entire country.

The success of the team, however, extended well beyond Sandelin. Blanka Stratford of Kielce, Poland, had a sparkling record much like Sandelin, going 15-1 in singles competition for the entire season. She captured the number six-flight championship over April Cohen of Southern Maine. She went 1-1 at the NEWITT championships in flight six action.

Christine Hortick contributed heavily to the overall success of the team with an 11-4 singles record and 8-7 record while participating in doubles matches. Hortick, a transplant from San Antonio, Texas, took her place alongside Sandelin and Stratford when she brought home the flight three championship in a three set match victory over Donna Vongratsavay of Rhode Island College.

Although the team has solid, experienced players returning, there is a new coach, Steve Courtemanche, who replaces the departed Jennifer Diprete. Courtemanche, who played college tennis at the University of New Hampshire, was named head coach back in July. He has a strong background in sports of various types, from skiing to volleyball to swimming. Courtemanche will also take over the reins of the men’s tennis team as head coach from Huan Hsu.

Even though there is talent and experience, depth might be an issue. There were times last season when the team had several players absent from game day competition due to a variety of factors. Courtemanche is hoping to attract a few more players to his squad so that the possibility of forfeit can be pushed out of the picture.

UMass Boston should look to contend with other Little East Conference teams for the title. After a strong showing in last year’s Little East Conference championship, the team is looking to carry over the success and achievements into competition this season. Plymouth State and Rhode Island College should be the teams to watch and contend for the title. The Little East Conference championship will be held at UMass Boston this year, which should give the Beacons an additional edge.