POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Senior outfielder Kourtney Paul of the Marist softball team was named Preseason All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference on Tuesday morning.
 
Paul enjoyed a breakout season in 2017, one which saw her named First Team All-MAAC. She hit .366 with four homers, 22 RBIs, 30 runs scored, and nine doubles. She had an on-base percentage of .437, and a slugging percentage of .524.
 
Paul is also a two-time selection to the MAAC All-Academic Team.
 
As a team, Marist was picked to finish third in the preseason poll.
 
The Marist softball team will open the 2018 season on Friday, Feb. 17 at Coppin State. The Red Foxes are heading into their 10^th season under the leadership of head coach Joe Ausanio. Marist has had winning seasons in each of the last seven years, and has made three trips all-time to NCAA Regionals (2006, 2013, 2016).
 
Here are the complete Preseason All-MAAC teams and Coaches' Poll results:
 
Preseason All-MAAC Team:
Catcher
Tori Danner - Iona
 
Infield
Courtney Hankins – Fairfield
Lauren Pitney – Manhattan
Rebecca Drake – Quinnipiac
Madysen Cossack – Siena
 
Outfield
Kourtney Paul - Marist
Marisa Gergel – Iona
Shannon Puthe – Manhattan
 
Designated Player:
Lauren Castro – Canisius
 
Utility:
Briana Matazinsky – Manhattan
 
Pitcher:
Alana Evans – Iona
Amanda Riley – Monmouth
 
Preseason Player of the Year:
Madysen Cossack – Siena
 
Coaches' Poll:
1.      Fairfield – 111 (6)
2.      Monmouth – 98 (3)
3.      Marist – 95 (1)
4.      Iona – 89 (1)
5.      Manhattan – 84
6.      Siena – 69
7.      Canisius – 51
8.      Quinnipiac – 49
9.      Niagara – 46
T10. Rider – 17
T10. Saint Peter's – 17
First-place votes are in parentheses.