Leah Simmons, Canisius Volleyball Headline Preseason Honors
EDISON, N.J. (Aug. 20, 2019) – Canisius College, led by Preseason Player of the Year pick Leah Simmons, was voted the 2019 volleyball preseason favorite by the league's 10 head coaches, as announced by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Canisius (17-12, 14-4 MAAC) made its first MAAC Championship appearance in school history before falling to Iona College to cap the 2018 season. The Griffs return four 2018 All-MAAC Selections in Simmons (All-MAAC First Team), Cassidy Ceriani (All-MAAC Second-Team), Camila Vazquez (All-Rookie Team) and Melina Woods (All-Rookie Team).
Fairfield University was voted into second place (90 points), Iona in third (73) and Quinnipiac University fourth (62). Marist College rounded out the top-five (62).
In her junior season, Simmons appeared in all 104 sets over 29 matches, starting 21 contests. She led the team with 331 kills and nine solo blocks, also tallying 36 block assists. In 2018, Simmons ranked sixth in the MAAC with 3.18 kills per set and 3.62 points per set.
Simmons and Ceriani represent Canisius on the Preseason All-MAAC Team. Fairfield also boasts two selections in Mayda Garcia and Luci Albertson. Marist's Nikki DeSerpa, Saint Peter's University's Karen Ramiu and Rider University's Rachelle Runyon complete the team.
Fairfield is set to host the 2019 MAAC Volleyball Championship Friday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Nov. 24.
Below is the full poll and preseason honors list:
Preseason Player of the Year
Leah Simmons – Canisius
| Preseason All-MAAC Team |
| Player |
Position |
Institution |
| Nikki DeSerpa |
Outside Hitter |
Marist |
| Karen Ramiu |
Outside Hitter |
Saint Peter's |
| Mayda Garcia |
Outside Hitter |
Fairfield |
| Leah Simmons |
Middle Hitter |
Canisius |
| Luci Albertson |
Middle Hitter |
Fairfield |
| Cassidy Ceriani |
Setter |
Canisius |
| Rachelle Runyon |
Libero |
Rider |
| Preseason Coaches' Poll (First Place Votes) |
| Canisius (5) |
93 |
| Fairfield (4) |
90 |
| Iona |
73 |
| Quinnipiac (1) |
62 |
| Marist |
62 |
| Rider |
56 |
| Niagara |
42 |
| Saint Peter's |
28 |
| Manhattan |
28 |
| Siena |
16 |
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 39
th year of competition during the 2019-20 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.