LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University volleyball team earned 117 points, including a first-place vote, in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll and was picked to finish third, as announced by the league office on Wednesday. Defending regular season and tournament champions, Fairfield, earned seven of 12 first-place votes to take the top spot in the poll.
Quinnipiac received the other four first-place votes and was picked second coming off a runner-up finish in 2024. Sacred Heart was selected just behind the Broncs in fourth with Canisius and Niagara picked to complete the six-team tournament field.
Iona was picked to finish seventh, with Marist and Merrimack tied for eighth in the poll. Siena, Saint Peter's, and Manhattan rounded out the poll.
Senior Opposite
Kiannisha Santiago, a First-Team All-MAAC selection in 2024, was named to the preseason All-MAAC Team.
The Broncs open play at the Salt City Classic on Aug. 29 against Le Moyne.
MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Fairfield (7)
|
139 |
- Quinnipiac (4)
|
134 |
- Rider (1)
|
117 |
- Sacred Heart
|
101 |
- Canisius
|
94 |
- Niagara
|
84 |
- Iona
|
63 |
| T-8. Marist |
57 |
| T-8. Merrimack |
57 |
- Siena
|
37 |
- Saint Peter's
|
28 |
- Manhattan
|
25 |
- First-place votes in parentheses
Preseason All-MAAC Team
| Player |
Position |
Year |
Institution |
| Allie Elliot |
Outside Hitter |
Sr. |
Fairfield |
| Mamie Krubally |
Right Side |
Jr. |
Fairfield |
| Maya Walker |
Middle Blocker |
Sr. |
Fairfield |
| Elena Giacomini * |
Opposite |
Gr. |
Quinnipiac |
| Ginevra Giovagnoni |
Outside Hitter |
Sr. |
Quinnipiac |
| Damla Gunes |
Setter |
Sr. |
Quinnipiac |
| Kiannisha Santiago |
Opposite |
Sr. |
Rider |
| Miliani Villarreal |
Libero |
So. |
Sacred Heart |
* Preseason Player of the Year
