POUGHKEEPSIE, New York - The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference released the 2021 Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll on Wednesday morning. The Red Foxes were selected to finish fifth in the conference for the upcoming season, as voted upon by the league's 10 head coaches.

Fairfield was ranked first in this year's poll, followed by Rider, Canisius, and Quinnipiac who all also received at least one first place vote. After Marist in order was Niagara, Iona, Siena, Manhattan, and Saint Peter's. Morgan Romano of the Rider Broncs was named the Preseason Player of the Year. 

Marist finished the 2020-21 abbreviated season with a 1-3 record overall. In 2019, the team's last full season, the team finished with a 15-15 record (12-6 MAAC) before losing to Fairfield in the MAAC Semifinals. The red & white will return a core of McKinley Fox, Madelyn Waumans, Morgan Owens, Skylar Harrison, and Gabby Murray from that 2019 team, along with 13 student-athletes (including seven freshman) without a full season under their belt. 

The Red Foxes open the season this weekend in the Cactus Classic, with matchups against the University of Arizona, New Mexico State, and UCSD. First serve of the opener against Arizona is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday. 

The full results of this year's poll can be found below or on the MAAC's website. 

 

Poll Results

1. Fairfield – 95 (6)
2. Rider – 87 (2)
3. Canisius – 74 (1)
4. Quinnipiac – 70 (1)
5. Marist – 61
6. Niagara – 56
7. Iona – 41
8. Siena – 28
9. Manhattan – 25
10. Saint Peter's – 13

Preseason Player of the Year – Morgan Romano, Rider

Preseason All-MAAC Team:

Player	Position	Institution
Amanda Darling	Libero	Niagara
Luci Albertson	Middle Hitter	Fairfield
Fleur Wiersma	Middle Hitter	Iona
Joelle Battles	Outside Hitter	Fairfield
Ella Loussia	Outside Hitter	Canisius
Morgan Romano	Outside Hitter	Rider
Manuela Nicolini	Setter	Fairfield
Anilee Sher	Setter	Rider