The 2023 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Volleyball Championship is set for this weekend from Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19. The six MAAC teams taking the court this weekend will include top-seeded Fairfield University, No. 2 Quinnipiac University, No. 3 Marist University, No. 4 Niagara University, No. 5 Rider University, and No. 6 Iona University. All contests during the championship will be hosted by Fairfield University at the Leo D. Mahoney Area in Fairfield, CT and all games will be airing live on ESPN+.
 
The Fairfield Stags clinched the MAAC regular season title for the fifth consecutive season, 22^nd title overall, with a 16-2 conference record. The Stags went 20-6 overall, producing 14 sweeps and are riding a five-match winning streak entering postseason play. Fairfield is qualifying for the MAAC postseason for the 29^th time in program history and are looking for its 13^th MAAC title. The Stags earned an opening round bye and will take on the winner of Friday's first round match between fourth-seeded Niagara and fifth-seeded Rider on Saturday in the semifinal round at 3 p.m. Fairfield led the MAAC in hitting percentage (.215) and sat in second in assists per set (11.34), kills per set (12.35), blocks per set (2.36) and digs per set (16.49) during the regular season.
 
Defending MAAC Champion and No. 2 overall seed, the Quinnipiac Bobcats are looking to become the first back-to-back volleyball champions since Fairfield won three straight from 2015 to 2017. 2023 will be the ninth postseason appearance for the Bobcats, which also earned an opening round bye and await the winner of third-seeded Marist and sixth-seeded Iona in the semis at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Quinnipiac finished the regular season with a 14-4 league mark and 18-9 overall record. As a squad, the Bobcats led the league in points average (16.39), kills per set (12.87), and in assists per set (11.86).
 
No. 3 Marist (14-15, 12-6 MAAC) vs. No. 6 Iona (14-15, 10-8 MAAC)
Leo H. Mahoney Arena | FAIRFIELD, CT | 3:00 PM | ESPN+  | Live Stats
 
No. 3 Marist and No. 6 Iona will meet at 3 p.m. in the first opening round match of the championship. Marist concluded the regular season with a 12-6 conference record and 14-15 overall record. The Red Foxes are appearing in their third straight MAAC championship as a top-three seed but seeking their first MAAC title in program history. Iona enters the postseason as the sixth seed following a 10-8 conference season and 14-15 overall record. The Gaels are making their 21^st MAAC postseason, and have two MAAC titles under their belts, winning the crown in 2004 and 2018. The teams split the two regular season meetings this year, with both teams winning on the respective home courts. Marist won the first meeting in Poughkeepsie, NY on October 6, 3-2, while Iona took the second match in New Rochelle, NY on October 21, 3-1.
 
No. 4 Niagara (13-13, 12-6 MAAC) vs. No. 5 Rider (11-16, 10-8 MAAC)
Leo H. Mahoney Arena | FAIRFIELD, CT | 6:00 PM | ESPN+ | Live Stats
 
No. 4 Niagara and No. 5 Rider will battle in the second opening round contest of the championship. Niagara went 13-13 overall and 12-6 in the league, locking up the fourth seed. The Purple Eagles are in their 10^th consecutive playoff and seeking the program’s fourth MAAC trophy since a three-peat run from 2009-2011. Rider enters the postseason with a 10-8 MAAC record. The Broncs are also appearing in their 10^th straight tournament dating back to 2014, and own one MAAC title which came in 2020-21. Rider swept Niagara during the regular season and also earned sweeps in both meetings against the Purple Eagles in 2023.
 
The 2023 MAAC Volleyball Championship is a six-team, single-elimination championship taking place November 17-19, 2023 at Leo D. Mahoney Arena in Fairfield, CT. Fairfield University will serve as host of the three-day championship with the opening round on Friday, November 17, the semifinals on Saturday, November 18, and the championship match on Sunday, November 19. For all information regarding the 2023 MAAC Volleyball Championship, please visit maacsports.com/vb.
 
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 43rd year of competition during the 2023-24 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan College, Marist College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College. Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University will join the MAAC as full members in the 2024-25 academic year, expanding the conference to 13 institutions.
 
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