EDISON, NJ (November 18, 2021) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) placed three volleyball players on the CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team, the organization announced Thursday afternoon. Marist’s Jordan Newblatt, Morgan Owens and Fairfield’s Manuela Nicolini were named to the Academic All-District First Team.
 
The 2021 Academic All-District awards, selected by CoSIDA, recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field or court and in the classroom. To be eligible student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve at their current institution with a cumulative 3.30 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
 
Fairfield University’s Manuela Nicolini was impressive both on and off the court in 2021, posting a 3.57/4.00 GPA as a Clinical (UG)/ Mental Health Counseling (G) Major. On the court, the 2021 MAAC Setter of the Year, Nicolini totaled 855 assists and averaged 11.2 assists per set, which not only led the conference but places her in a tie as the 12^th best mark for a season in conference history. 
 
Marist College sophomore Jordan Newblatt posted a 3.93 GPA as a Business Administration Major. Newblatt, a 2021 All-MAAC First Team selection totaled 360 kills and 298 digs. She was also awarded as MAAC Player of the Week twice this year and Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Week in October.
 
Marist College senior Morgan Owens posted a 3.97 GPA as a Business Administration Major as well. Owens is currently ranked fifth in digs per set (4.24) in the conference and has been awarded four MAAC Libero of the Week awards this season. Owens recently tallied her 1,000^th career dig at Siena on November 13.
 
The 2021 MAAC Volleyball Championship is set to begin tomorrow in Loudonville, NY. All information regarding the 2021 MAAC Volleyball Championship Tournament 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.
 
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