Poughkeepsie, NY (Apr. 27, 2023) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has announced the 2023 Water All-MAAC teams and Major Award winners. All awards were voted on by the leagues 10 head coaches.
The 2023 Water Polo Offensive Player of the Year award goes to Wagner College's Abbey Simshauser. Simshausher led Wagner a 13-0 MAAC regular season record and Red division championship and the top overall seed at the 2023 MAAC Championship. The Sydney, Australia native adds to her awards collection as she took home MAAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2022.
Wagner College's Skye Nankervis is the 2023 Water Polo Defensive Player of the Year. Nankervis, a leader on the defensive end, helped propel the Seahawks to a 30-5 overall record and 13-0 MAAC record.
The 2023 Water Polo Co- Rookies of the Year are Francesca Sena from Wagner College and Inés Sánchez from Marist College.
Francesca Sena earns 2023 Water Polo Co-Rookie of the Year recognition for her stellar play in the goal this season. During the regular season the freshman from Cosenza, Italy took home MAAC Water Polo Rookie of the Week honors four times.
2023 Water Polo Co-Rookie of the Year recipient Inés Sánchez from Marist College was a four-time MAAC Water Polo Rookie of the Week honoree this season. The freshman goaltender from Barcelona, Spain recorded 32 saves and had a .410 save percentage for the Red Foxes this season.
The 2023 Water Polo Coach of the Year is Marist College's Chris Vidale. Vidale led Marist this year to a 12-1 record in the MAAC and Blue division championship. In seven seasons at the helm Vidale has recorded an overall record of 129-95, including a MAAC title in 2021.
See Full Awards List Below:
| 2023 MAAC Water Polo Major Awards |
| Award |
Name |
School |
| Offensive Player of the Year |
Abbey Simshauser |
Wagner |
| Defensive Player of the Year |
Skye Nankervis |
Wagner |
| Co-Rookie of the Year |
Francesca Sena |
Wagner |
| Co-Rookie of the Year |
Inés Sánchez |
Marist |
| Coach of the Year |
Chris Vidale |
Marist |
| 2023 Water Polo All-MAAC First Team |
| Position |
Name |
School |
| Abbey Simshauser* |
Utility |
Wagner |
| Viktoria Orlova* |
Utility |
Marist |
| Paola Dominguez |
Attack |
LIU |
| Jordan Van Reeken |
Utility |
Iona |
| Carlota Alonso |
Attack |
Wagner |
| Francesca Co' |
Attack |
La Salle |
| Elena Camarena |
Attack |
LIU |
| Sydney DeVroedt |
Attack |
St. Francis Brooklyn |
| Francesca Sena |
Goalie |
Wagner |
| 2023 Water Polo All-MAAC Second Team |
| Position |
Name |
School |
| Ella Baumgarten |
Center |
Marist |
| Annefleur ten Bloemendal |
Center |
Mount St. Mary's |
| Madelyn Koerper |
Center |
La Salle |
| Malia Josephson |
Attack |
Wagner |
| Skye Nankervis |
Defender |
Wagner |
| Andrea Arias |
Utility |
Wagner |
| Ana Luisa Cotta |
Defender |
Mount St. Mary's |
| Lola Trujillo |
Utility |
Iona |
| Shinae Carrington |
Utility |
Marist |
| Stella Byles |
Attack |
Villanova |
| Mar Navarro |
Attack |
Wagner |
| Emma Gurasich |
Goalie |
La Salle |
| Inés Sánchez |
Goalie |
Marist |
*denotes unanimous selection
The 2023 MAAC Water Polo Championship will be held at McCann Natatorium on the campus of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Marist has hosted the Water Polo Championship since 2003. The opening round begins Friday, April 28, followed by the semifinal round on Saturday, April 29, and the final round will take place on Sunday, April 30. All rounds of the 2023 MAAC Water Polo Championship will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
For all information regarding the 2023 MAAC Water Polo Championship, visit maacsports.com. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #MAACWP.
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 42nd year of competition during the 2022-23 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, 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.
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.