FAIRFIELD, Conn. – For the second year in a row, the Sacred Heart University women's tennis team returns to the Northeast Conference Championship Tournament as the number three seed. The Pioneers will take on number six Mount St. Mary's in the first round on Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Mercer County Tennis Courts in West Windsor, N.J. 
 
"We have a tough first round match-up with Mount St. Mary's who we did not play during the regular season," noted head coach Mike Guastelle. "We need to be focused and play well in that match in order to advance to Friday's semifinals."
 
The Pioneers finished with their best mark against the NEC at 5-2 as they look to take on the Mountaineers for the first time since 2019. The second round of the tournament is slated for 10 a.m. on Friday followed by the championship match on Saturday at 10 a.m.
 
The 2021 NEC Rookie of the Year Katsiaryna Starastsenka looks to lead the Pioneers to their first NEC Championship match in school history. The sophomore is the league's top number one singles player as she accumulated the most wins of any NEC competitor at 14-9. Against the conference, Starastsenka went 5-2 and 4-1 at first doubles with partner Ciara O'Toole. 
 
O'Toole is SHU's primary second singles player and sits at the top of the NEC list with Mount St. Mary's Shirley Liang at 2-4 against league foes. Also looking to make a splash in postseason play is first-year Olivia Kharkover. The rookie is on a six-game winning streak and posted a perfect 3-0 mark at six singles against the NEC. 
 
Last season, the Pioneers were upset by number six Fairleigh Dickinson, 4-3, in the opening round.  
 
Check out the NEC Championship headquarters for more information.