EDISON, NJ (November 17, 2021) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Volleyball Championship Tournament is set to begin this Friday, November 19 with four quarterfinal games featuring Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Marist College, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, and Siena College.
 
The Championship Tournament will span three days from Friday through Sunday and will be held at the UHY Center in Loudonville, NY on the campus of Siena College. The Quarterfinals begin this Friday, Semifinals on Saturday, November 20 and the Championship Match will take place on Sunday, November 21. All games will air on ESPN+.
 
The top-seeded Fairfield University Stags won the MAAC Regular Season Championship by going 16-2 during conference play in 2021. The Stags opened up MAAC play by winning 12 straight games to continue a 13-game winning streak. At the helm for the Stags is head coach Todd Kress, 7-time MAAC Coach of the Year and the winningest coach in Fairfield program history. On the court, the Stags are led by KJ Johnson who led the MAAC in kills per set (4.87) and Manuela Nicolini who led the MAAC in assists per set (11.2).
 
The No. 1 Fairfield Stags (21-8, 16-2 MAAC) will take on No. 8 Siena College (7-22, 7-11 MAAC) in the first game of the Championship Tournament on Friday at 11 am. Fairfield won both of their matchups this season in straight sets. Siena is led by third-year head coach Vilis Ozols.
 
In the second game on Friday at 2 pm, No. 4 Canisius College (10-17, 10-8 MAAC) takes on No. 5 Niagara University (13-14, 10-8 MAAC). The two foes from Western New York split their matchups this season, both by 3-1 sets on November 4 and 9. Ultimately, Canisius owned the tiebreaker based on point differential (+6) in the aforementioned matchups. Canisius is led by head coach Shannon Thompsoand Niagara is led by head coach Donna Day. 
 
The No. 2 seed and defending champion Rider Broncs (17-11, 14-4 MAAC) take on No. 7 Iona College (10-17, 8-10 MAAC) at 5 pm on Friday. During their matchups this season, Rider won six of the seven sets that they played. On the court, the Broncs are led by junior Morgan Romano who led the MAAC in 2021 in total kills (445). At the helm for the Iona Gaels is third-year head coach Esai Velez-Perez.
 
In the nightcap on Friday, No. 3 Marist College (17-12, 12-6 MAAC) matches up against No. 6 Quinnipiac University (10-17, 9-9 MAAC) at 8 pm. In their previous matchups this season, the Marist Red Foxes won six of the nine sets that they played one another. On the court, Marist features sophomore Jordan Newblatt on the front line and senior captain Morgan Owens on the back line who recorded her 1,000^th career dig at Siena on November 13. The Quinnipiac Bobcats are led by third year head coach Kyle Robinson.
 

Friday, November 19	Time	Network
No. 1 Fairfield vs. No. 8 Siena	11:00 a.m.	ESPN+
No. 4 Canisius vs. No. 5 Niagara	2:00 p.m.	ESPN+
No. 2 Rider vs. No. 7 Iona	5:00 p.m.	ESPN+
No. 3 Marist vs. No. 6 Quinnipiac	8:00 p.m.	ESPN+
Saturday, November 20	Time	Network
Semifinal #1	4:00 p.m.	TBD
Semifinal #2	7:00 p.m.	TBD
Sunday, November 21	Time	Network
Championship Match	4:00 p.m.	TBD

 
All information regarding the 2021 MAAC Volleyball Championship can be found on maacsports.com.
 
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 41st year of competition during the 2021-22 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
 
Stay up to date with the MAAC on social media by following @MAACSports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit MAACSports.com for all the latest MAAC news.