POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced the results of the volleyball preseason coaches' poll on Wednesday morning. The Red Foxes were projected to finish in fourth place in the MAAC this season, as voted upon by the league's 10 head coaches.

Marist is coming off a 2019 season in which the team finished with an overall record of 15-15, which included an impressive 12-6 record in MAAC matches. The Red Foxes entered the MAAC Championships as the #4 seed, and promptly swept #5 Niagara in the first round of the tournament. Marist advanced to take on #1 Fairfield, but lost to the eventual MAAC Champions in a five-set thriller.

The Red Foxes have seven newcomers this season, including six freshman and a transfer sophomore, who will look to help build on what was an impressive 2019 campaign, which was the first under the leadership of Head Coach Sean Byron.

The volleyball team Is scheduled to open op the 2021 spring schedule on Mar. 7 with a doubleheader against the Iona Gaels. This years MAAC Championships are scheduled to take place from Apr. 1-3 at the Albany Convention Center.

The Fairfield Stags were projected to repeat as MAAC Champions in this year's preseason coaches' poll, receiving all but one first place vote. Manuela Nicolini was also projected to repeat as MAAC Player of the Year.

The full results of this year's preseason poll can be found below.
 

Volleyball Preseason Poll

Preseason Coaches' Poll
1	Fairfield (10)	99
2	Quinnipiac (1)	80
3	Rider	77
4	Marist	69
5	Canisius	66
6	Niagara	48
7	Siena	42
8	Iona	35
9	Manhattan	20
10	Saint Peter's	14

 

Preseason Player of the Year

Manuela Nicolini - Fairfield

 

Preseason All-MAAC Team
Player	Position	Year	Institution
Joelle Battles	Outside Hitter	So.	Fairfield
Jamie Smith	Outside Hitter	Sr.	Iona
Morgan Romano	Outside Hitter	So.	Rider
Camila Vazquez	Middle Hitter	Jr.	Canisius
Kaylie Butts	Middle Hitter	Sr.	Fairfield
Manuela Nicolini	Setter	Gr.	Fairfield
Karla Seda	Libero	Sr.	Saint Peter's