Volleyball

Fairfield, Rider to Play for 2021 MAAC Volleyball Championship Title

LOUDONVILLE, NY (November 21, 2021) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Volleyball Championship Final takes place this afternoon at 4 pm on ESPN+ featuring top-seeded Fairfield University (23-8, 16-2 MAAC) and second-ranked Rider University (19-11, 14-4 MAAC).
 
The Fairfield Stags earned their spot in the Championship Finals after beating Canisius College yesterday afternoon in five sets. 2021 MAAC Player of the Year K.J. Johnson had 24 kills to lead the Stags. Fairfield will be playing for their 12th MAAC Championship in program history after being unable to compete in last year’s Championship tournament due to COVID-19.
 
The Rider Broncs head back to the Championship Finals after winning the 2020-21 title last spring. They took down Quinnipiac University yesterday evening in straight sets to advance to this year’s final. All-MAAC First Team junior Morgan Romano registered 26 kills for the second straight match to lead the Broncs to today’s championship match.
 
In their previous matchups this season, Fairfield took down Rider in straight sets on September 18 and October 10. Johnson led the attack for the Stags in both meetings with 36 combined kills. 2021 MAAC Setter of the Year Manuela Nicolini contributed 66 assists in the matchups as well.
 
This will be the first time that these two teams meet in the MAAC Championship Finals and the first time that they meet in MAAC Championship play since the 2014 MAAC Championship Quarterfinals when Fairfield won in straight sets.
 
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.