Aug. 23, 2001

EDISON, N.J. - (Aug. 23) Fairfield University, which has captured the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference volleyball title for the past five years, has been picked to win the conference crown again this season in a preseason poll voted on by the league's 10 head coaches.

Fairfield finished with 98 points in the poll, 17 points ahead of second-place St. Peter's College (81). Manhattan College was picked third with 79 points, and Siena College was fourth with 71 points. Loyola College placed fifth (50), followed by Canisius College (46), Niagara University (42), Iona College (37), Rider University (21) and Marist College (17).

Fairfield's Conny Paul (Kingston, MA), who was named MAAC Player of the Year in 2000, has been selected as the 2001 MAAC Preseason Player of the Year. Paul led the league in hitting percentage (.383) and kills per game (4.73) last year.

Three of the MAAC's 10 schools are represented on the Preseason All-MAAC Team, including four players from Fairfield. Joining Paul are fellow teammates middle hitter Carola Stowe (Vaterstetten, Germany), outside hitter Joanne Saunders (Saratoga, CA) and setter Kelly Sorensen (Bloomington, MN). Manhattan is represented by middle hitter Kim Frederick (Orange, CA) and outside hitter Amy O'Dorisio (San Diego, CA). St. Peter's Valentina Zaharieva (Varna, Bulgaria) rounds out the team at middle hitter.

2001 MAAC VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

1. Fairfield 98 2. St. Peter's 81 3. Manhattan 79 4. Siena 71 5. Loyola 50 6. Canisius 46 7. Niagara 42 8. Iona 37 9. Rider 21 10. Marist 17

2001 MAAC Preseason Player of the Year: Conny Paul, Fairfield