EDISON, NJ (Nov. 20, 2024) – The 2024 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Volleyball Championship is set for this weekend from Thursday, November 21 through Sunday, November 24. The eight MAAC teams taking the court this weekend will include top-seeded Fairfield University, No. 2 Quinnipiac University, No. 3 Rider University, No. 4 Canisius University, No. 5 Sacred HeartUniversity, No. 6 Niagara University, No. 7 Merrimack College, and No. 8 Iona University. All contests during the championship will be hosted by Siena College at UHY Center in Loudonville, NY
and all games will be airing live on ESPN+.
The Fairfield Stags clinched the MAAC regular season title for the sixth consecutive season, with a 17-1conference record. The Stags went 19-11 overall, producing 11 sweeps and are riding a four-match winning streak entering postseason play. Fairfield is qualifying for the MAAC postseason for the 30th time in program history and are looking for its 14th MAAC title. The Stags earned a first and secondround bye and will take on the winner of Friday's second round match in the semifinal round at 1 p.m.on Saturday. Fairfield led the MAAC in hitting percentage (.243), assists per set (12.45), and kills per set (13.15) during the regular season.
The No. 2 overall seed, the Quinnipiac Bobcats, are looking to claim their second MAAC Championship title in program history. 2024 will be the 10th postseason appearance for the Bobcats, which also earned first and second round byes and await the winner of Match 4 in the semis at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Quinnipiac finished the regular season with a 15-3 league mark and 18-12 overall record. As a squad, the Bobcats are ranked second in the league in assists per set (11.65), points per set (16.47), and kills (12.78). They lead the conference in service aces (1.92 avg/set).
The Canisius Golden Griffins are set to compete in the second round of the 2024 MAAC Volleyball Championship, where they will face the winner of the first round match between Sacred Heart and Iona. The Golden Griffins come into the match ranked second in the conference with a solid .211 hitting percentage. Canisius ranks fourth in both digs (14.50 per set) and assists (11.23 per set), showing their well-rounded game on both sides of the net. Canisius will look to advance to Saturday's semifinal, where they would take on top-seeded Fairfield. This matchup marks an important step for the Golden Griffins as they aim for their first-ever MAAC Championship title.
The Rider University Broncs, with a 15-16 overall record and a strong 14-4 mark in the MAAC, are poised to make a deep run in the 2024 MAAC Volleyball Championship as they await the winner of the Niagara and Merrimack matchup in the second round. Rider is in pursuit of their second-ever MAAC title, having previously claimed the championship in 2011. The Broncs bring a well-rounded and powerful game to the court, ranking second in the conference in blocks (2.15 per set) and third in kills (12.38 per set), hitting percentage (.205), and points (16.27 per set). With a balanced offensive and defensive approach, Rider looks to advance and take on second-seeded Quinnipiac in the semifinals.
No. 5 Sacred Heart (15-15, 11-7 MAAC) vs. No. 8 Iona (10-20, 8-10 MAAC)
UHY Center | Loudonville, NY | 4:00 PM | ESPN+ | Live Stats
The No. 5 Sacred Heart University Pioneers will face the No. 8 Iona University Gaels in the first round of the 2024 MAAC Volleyball Championship. Sacred Heart enters with a even 15-15 record, including an 11-7 mark in conference play, while Iona comes in at 10-20 overall and 8-10 in the MAAC. The Pioneers, who won their regular-season matchup with Iona, winning 3-0 on September 29, are led by 2024 All-MAAC First Team selections Camryn Luginbuhl and Gaby Zovko and MAAC Rookie of the Year Miliani Villarreal. Iona is in pursuit of their third MAAC Championship title, with the last onecoming in 2018 and Sacred Heart is looking to claim their first MAAC Volleyball title since entering the MAAC this year.
No. 6 Niagara (15-14, 11-7 MAAC) vs. No. 7 Merrimack (9-20, 8-10 MAAC)
UHY Center | Loudonville, NY | 7:00 PM | ESPN+ | Live Stats
The No. 6 Niagara University Purple Eagles will face the No. 7 Merrimack Warriors in the first round of the 2024 MAAC Volleyball Championship. Niagara, with a 15-14 overall record and an 11-7 mark in conference play, enters the matchup after defeating the Warriors, 3-0, in their regular season meeting on October 26. The Purple Eagles boast the MAAC's top rankings in both blocks (2.51 per set) and digs (17.34 per set), making them a tough defensive force. Merrimack, with a 9-20 overall record and 8-10 in the MAAC, is making its first-ever MAAC postseason appearance since joining the conference this season and looking to make an impact against the postseason experienced Niagara squad, which won three consecutive MAAC titles from 2009-2011 and hold four MAAC Championship titles.
The 2024 MAAC Volleyball Championship is an eight-team, single-elimination championship taking place November 21-24, 2024 at UHY Center in Loudonville, NY on the campus of Siena College. The first round will take place on Thursday, November 21, followed by the second round on Friday, November 22, the semifinals on Saturday, November 23, and concluding with the championship final on Sunday, November 24. Siena will serve as host of the four-day championship for the 14th time. For all information regarding the 2024 MAAC Volleyball Championship, please visit
maacsports.com/vb.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 13 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 44th year of competition during the 2024-25 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan University, Marist College, Merrimack College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
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