NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. –The Little East Conference office announced its annual women’s tennis all-conference teams and major award winners this afternoon after a vote by the conference’s eight coaches. Salem State College won a pair of the major awards as senior Megan Cote (Fall River, Mass.) was named the player of the year, while the Vikings earned the team sportsmanship award. Plymouth State University freshman Sara Burke (Barrington, R.I.) was selected as the rookie of the year, while Stacy Slater of Western Connecticut State University was tabbed the coach of the year by her peers.

Cote is making her third appearance on the All-Little East, first-team and first since 2007. The Fall River, Mass. product dominated the courts during her senior season, posting an undefeated record of 10-0 at top-flight singles. She needed just the minimum two sets to defeat nine of her 10 opponents, including six of her seven her Little East oppositions. Cote was the lone Viking to collect a victory in the Little East Tournament match against Bridgewater State, defeating her opposition in straight sets (6-4, 6-0). She also recorded a 7-3 mark at top-flight doubles. Cote was named the Little East player of the week twice on the campaign.

Burke was one of three freshmen in the conference to compete primarily at top-flight singles, defeating both her classmates in the top position in straight sets. The native of Barrington, R.I. posted an overall record of 5-6, including a 3-4 mark in the conference circuit. She opened her collegiate career with three consecutive victories, including dispatching her opponent from Southern Maine in straight sets. Burke suffered some tough luck throughout the season, losing four of her five matches that went three sets. She combined with two teammates to post a 1-9 record at No. 1 doubles.

Slater guided Western Connecticut to its first Little East Women’s Tennis Championship and a program-best 13 victories in 2009. The Colonials (13-2) earned the top-seed in the conference tournament after posting a 7-0 mark. Western Connecticut protected its home court advantage, defeating fourth-seeded UMass Dartmouth in the semifinals, and third-seeded Bridgewater State in the championship round. A tremendous motivator, Slater mentored an All-Little East student-athlete in five of the six singles flights, and two of the three doubles flights. The Colonials will represent the Little East in the 2010 NCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Championship.

Salem State earned the conference’s second annual team sportsmanship award. The Vikings finished second in the conference standings to secure the No. 2 seed in the Little East Women’s Tennis Championship. Salem State (8-3, 6-1 LEC) was upset in the semifinal round of the conference tournament by No. 3 Bridgewater State. The Vikings set a new program record with eight victories.