LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University softball team has been picked sixth in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league office today announced. In addition, 2025 All-MAAC Second Team selection Kendall Reda-Fehsal (Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) has been selected to the Preseason All-MAAC Team at infield.

Marist took 11 first place votes and the top spot in the poll with 167 points, ahead of Fairfield (144) and Siena (143) with one first place vote each. Iona (117) and Sacred Heart (109) followed ahead of the Broncs (103). Quinnipiac (98), Canisius (91), Merrimack (55), Manhattan (54), Mount St. Mary's (50), Niagara (29) and Saint Peter's (23) rounded out the poll.

Reda-Fehsal was named to the Preseason All-MAAC Team after leading the team in RBI's (41, 8^th-MAAC) and sacrifice flies (2) and was second in slugging (.512), doubles (14, 9^th-MAAC), home runs (7) and total bases (85) in 2025. She hit .289 and started 53 of 58 games played as the team's primary first baseman, finishing with 12 multi-hit games, including five games with three or more. She had a team-high 10 multi-RBI games, including three games with four or more and hit .380 with four home runs, 10 doubles, 31 RBI's, 10 runs scored and a .718 slugging percentage in MAAC play. She had went on a historic hot streak in mid-April, with a team-best nine-game hitting streak from Apr. 9-19, hitting .714 (20-for-28) with six doubles, a triple, four home runs, 24 RBI's and eight runs scored during the streak. Included were game-winning hits vs. Marist (two-run single) and at Saint Peter's (two-run home run in Top 7).

Rider opens the season Feb. 13-15 at the Norfolk State Tournament in Norfolk, VA. The Broncs will play the host Spartans twice, while taking on Central Connecticut three times over the three-day tournament.

 

2026 Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1	Marist	167 (11)
2	Fairfield	144 (1)
3	Siena	143 (1)
4	Iona	117
5	Sacred Heart	109
6	Rider	103
7	Quinnipiac	98
8	Canisius	91
9	Merrimack	55
10	Manhattan	54
11	Mount St. Mary's	50
12	Niagara	29
13	Saint Peter's	23

Preseason Player of the Year

Haley Ahr* – Marist

Preseason All-MAAC Team
Player	Position	Year	Institution
Brooke Acker	Catcher	Sr.	Iona
Hailey Guerrero	Infielder	Sr.	Iona
Harley Ahr*	Infielder	Gr.	Marist
Kendall Reda-Fehsal	Infielder	Jr.	Rider
Emma Petersen	Infielder	Sr.	Siena
Ella Johel	Outfielder	Jr.	Canisius
Peyton Pusey*	Outfielder	Sr.	Marist
Mary Fogg	Outfielder	Sr.	Quinnipiac
Sienna Kunze	Utility	So.	Marist
Gracie Goewey	Designated Player	Jr.	Siena
Alyssa Weinberg	Pitcher	Sr.	Fairfield
Sam Kowalski	Pitcher	Sr.	Sacred Heart

 
Denotes unanimous selection*