EDISON, NJ (November 18, 2021) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has announced the 2021 Volleyball All-MAAC Teams and Major Award winners. All awards were voted on by the league’s 10 head coaches.
The 2021 MAAC Volleyball Player of the Year is K.J. Johnson of Fairfield University. Johnson is the ninth different player in program history to garner the award and first since teammate Manuela Nicolini earned the award in 2019. Johnson’s first year as a Stag was one for the record books; she averaged 4.87 kills per set which not only led the conference this season, but also places her seventh all-time for a single season. Johnson finished second in the MAAC in total kills with 420. The Pearland, TX native finished third in the conference in hitting percentage (.323). Johnson recorded her season-high of 28 kills in a win over Niagara on October 23.
For the second consecutive season, the 2021 MAAC Libero of the Year is Amanda Darling of Niagara University. The Oswego, IL native led the MAAC in 2021 with 483 digs and averaged 5.43 digs per set, which places her 12
th all-time for a single season. Darling posted a season-high of 35 digs on November 13 in a win over Saint Peter’s. Darling earned MAAC Libero of the Week two times throughout the 2021 season.
For the fourth time in her career, the MAAC Setter of the Year is Manuela Nicolini of Fairfield University. During the 2021 season, 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. The Castelnuovo Rangone, Italy native finishes her career as a Stag with four Setter of the Year awards, a Player of the Year honor in 2019, four All-MAAC First Team honors (2017, 2019, 2020-21, 2021), and a 2016 All-MAAC Rookie Team honor as well. Her four MAAC Setter of the Year awards are the most in conference history.
The 2021 MAAC Rookie of the Year is Mikayla Haut of Fairfield University. Haut is the first Stag to win the award since Megan Theiller in 2014. The Monroe, MI native turned in 192 kills in her first year as a Stag including a career-high 22 kills against Iona on November 12. Haut also had 91 digs during the 2021 season and won MAAC Rookie of the Week three times as well.
The 2021 MAAC Volleyball Coach of the Year is Todd Kress of Fairfield University. The all-time winningest coach in program history adds an eighth MAAC Coach of the Year, the most in conference history. Kress led the Stags to a 16-2 record in conference play and a 21-8 record overall, earning the top-seed in this year’s 2021 MAAC Volleyball Championship Tournament. The Stags began conference play with a perfect 12-0 record which capped off a 13-game winning streak from September 14 to October 24.
For the full list of awards, including the All-MAAC Teams, see below.
| 2021 MAAC Volleyball Major Awards |
| Award |
Player |
School |
| Player of the Year |
K.J. Johnson |
Fairfield |
| Libero of the Year |
Amanda Darling |
Niagara |
| Setter of the Year |
Manuela Nicolini |
Fairfield |
| Rookie of the Year |
Mikayla Haut |
Fairfield |
| Coach of the Year |
Todd Kress |
Fairfield |
| 2021 All-MAAC Volleyball First Team |
| Player |
Class |
School |
Position |
| K.J. Johnson |
Jr. |
Fairfield |
Outside Hitter |
| Morgan Romano |
Jr. |
Rider |
Opposite |
| Jordan Newblatt |
So. |
Marist |
Outside Hitter |
| Manuela Nicolini |
Gr. |
Fairfield |
Setter |
| Anilee Sher |
Sr. |
Rider |
Setter |
| Nicole Legg |
Sr. |
Quinnipiac |
Middle Blocker |
| Jaycie Roberts |
Gr. |
Niagara |
Outside Hitter |
| 2021 All-MAAC Volleyball Second Team |
| Player |
Class |
School |
Position |
| Luci Albertson |
Gr. |
Fairfield |
Middle Blocker |
| Ella Loussia |
Jr. |
Canisius |
Outside Hitter |
| Gabriella Heimbauer |
So. |
Marist |
Outside Hitter |
| Amanda Darling |
So. |
Niagara |
Libero |
| Camila Vazquez |
Sr. |
Canisius |
Middle Hitter |
| McKinley Fox |
Sr. |
Marist |
Setter |
| Mary Redl |
Sr. |
Niagara |
Right Side |
| 2021 All-MAAC Volleyball Rookie Team |
| Player |
Class |
School |
Position |
| Mikayla Haut |
Fr. |
Fairfield |
Outside Hitter |
| Olga Sawinska |
Fr. |
Siena |
Right Side |
| Faavae Kimsel-Moe |
FY. |
Quinnipiac |
Libero |
| Laryssa Imbuzeiro |
Fr. |
Niagara |
Middle Blocker |
| Kara Zaucha |
Fr. |
Canisius |
Outside Hitter |
| Kelly McArthur |
Fr. |
Niagara |
Setter |
| Jillian Hanna |
Fr. |
Marist |
Libero |
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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