Westfield, Mass.— Reigning MASCAC Volleyball Tournament Champions Framingham State are the preseason favorites to win the 2022 crown as voted on by the eight coaches around the league.

The Rams received three first place vote for 44 points. In 2021, they were 5-2 during MASCAC play. In her first season with the Rams, Hailey Sanders led the MASCAC in blocks (78) and solo blocks (49), while also ranking second in hitting percentage (.302) and fourth in kills with 295  to earn a spot on the MASCAC All-Conference team.

Grabbing three first place votes for 42 points is Westfield State. The Owls compiled a 6-1 record last season in conference action. Returning for the squad this year is All-Conference honoree Ashley Crowley. During the 2021 season, she accumulated  229 kills, 58 total blocks while compiling the third most digs  with 191. She also led the team in hitting percentage at .176. 

Sitting in the third spot with 40 points and a first place vote is Worcester State. Reigning MASCAC Regular Season Champions, the Lancers were a perfect 7-0 in league play last season. Back for her second season with the team is Angela Colonis who averaged 1.46 kills per set and was fifth in the MASCAC with 368 total assists whole collecting 243 digs and 26 service aces on her way to All-Conference accolades.

Earning the final first place vote is Bridgewater State in fourth with 30 points. The Bears collected three wins during the conference slate in 2021. Returning for the team is Victoria Caiano who had 4.25 digs per set (259 total), 41 assists and 33 service aces last season.

Up next in fifth is MCLA with 28 points. Last season, the Trailblazers had a 4-3 mark in MASCAC action. 2021 MASCAC Rookie of the Year and All-Conference honoree Chloie Garber returns after she registered 339 kills and 3.57 per set which was the best in the league. She also collected 255 digs, 31 total blocks, 34 aces and 16 assists. 

Fitchburg State is in the sixth spot with 18 points. Samantha Mirra returns after playing in 23 matches in 2021, compiling 77 kills, 203 digs and 30 service aces. 

Rounding out the 2022 poll is Salem State in seventh and Massachusetts Maritime in eighth. The Vikings had 15 points in the poll. Abigail O’Connor is back for the team after tallying 128 kills, 35 total blocks, 46 digs and 10 service aces. The Buccaneers tallied seven points and returning for them is Marlo Stark who registered 61 kills, 179 digs, 15 service aces and an assist on the season.     

The volleyball season gets underway over the next week with all eight MASCAC teams in non-conference action. Grab all the details at mascac.com and mascac.tv.

 

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

1. Framingham State (3) - 44 points

2. Westfield State (3) - 42 points

3. Worcester State (1) - 40 points

4. Bridgewater State (1) - 30 points

5. MCLA - 28 points

6. Fitchburg State - 18 points

7. Salem State - 15 points

8. Massachusetts Maritime - 7 points