For the first time since 2011, members of Siena Water Polo were named to the Preseason All-MAAC team. The conference announced Thursday morning that junior captain Diana Fernandez and sophomore Sophia Torres were selected to the squad. Additionally, the Saints were picked to finish seventh in the 2019 MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

A Second-Team All-MAAC selection in each of her first two seasons, Fernandez steadied the team in shots (186) while placing second in both goals (63) and points (93) last season, ranking ninth in the conference in the latter. After conquering the single-season mark during her rookie campaign, The Chicago, IL native set the program mark for ejections drawn, doing so after only 49 career matches. Fernandez was also named to the MAAC All-Academic Team and earned a spot on the league's Academic Honor Roll last season.

"We are very proud of Diana, one of our captains, on being selected for the Preseason all-MAAC Team." Head Coach Tamara Perea said. "She has certainly earned the honor of being recognized going into her junior season. There is a great deal that she brings to the table for Siena, and I am excited to see what she will do this season in the MAAC."

As a freshman, Torres received MAAC Rookie of the Week honors twice and finished the season tied for the team lead in assists with 33. Appearing in all 29 games to begin her collegiate career, the Grapevine, TC native tallied 68 total points in 2018.

"Sophia was a contender for Rookie of the Year in 2018, and this year, her selection to the Preseason All-MAAC team is testament to what she will do for the Saints in her sophomore season," Perea continued. "Her ability to take on any center as a defender and to match-up with each MAAC team's best player is why I know she is being recognized going into the 2019 season."
 
Heading into the second season under the leadership of Coach Perea, the Saints enter 2019 off an 8-21 overall record and a 5-9 mark in the MAAC, good for sixth place in the league standings. The team begins action at the Bruno Classic on Feb. 2, while league play will commence in March.
 
Preseason All-MAAC Team
Jordan van Reeken – Iona – Utility
Grace Doerfler – Marist – Center*
Katherine Tijerina – Marist – Utility
Kelsey Sneglar - St. Francis Brooklyn – Attack
Diana Fernandez – Siena – Attacker
Sophia Torres – Siena – Defender*
Erica Hardy – Wagner – Attack  
Isabel French – VMI – Goalkeeper
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year: Isabel French – VMI
Preseason Player of the Year: Erica Hardy – Wagner – Attack  
 
*-tie in voting
 
Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Wagner (7) - 63
2. Marist (1) - 57
3. Iona - 43
4. Virginia Military Institute - 36
5. Villanova - 29
6. St. Francis Brooklyn - 24
7. Siena - 23
8. La Salle – 13

First-place votes in parentheses