CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Canisius volleyball senior Sara Wesley has been named to the preseason All-MAAC Team, it was announced Monday.
Wesley, a 2017 second-team All-MAAC selection, led the conference with a .309 hitting percentage while ranking ninth in the MAAC with a 2.61 average kills per set. In conference-only play, those numbers improved to a .331 hitting percentage and a 2.88 average kills per set. The Exeter, Pa., native appeared in all 100 sets over 28 matches for the Blue and Gold. Her .684 attacking percentage versus Siena on Sept. 23 finished as the third-best match-high in the MAAC for the 2017 season. The 2017 campaign also saw Wesley set her personal career-highs in kills (16) and digs (6) in an Oct. 21 win over Saint Peter’s.
In the annual preseason coaches’ poll, Canisius is picked to finish eighth with two-time defending champion Fairfield picked first. Iona placed second in the poll, followed by Marist, Quinnipiac and Niagara. The preseason co-Players of the Year are Claire Archibald of Iona and Manuela Nicolini of Fairfield.
The Golden Griffins posted a 10-18 record overall and 8-10 MAAC mark in 2017. The Griffs return nine letter winners and add six freshmen to the 2018 roster.