Women’s Volleyball Tabbed Sixth in MAC Freedom Coaches’ Preseason Poll

Newtown, Pa.- The Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) posted the 2026 Women's Volleyball Coaches' MAC Freedom Preseason Poll on Friday morning, as the Marywood University women's volleyball team was picked to finish sixth.

Stevens earned 63 points and seven first-place votes to claim the top spot in the preseason poll. The Ducks are the defending MAC Freedom champions and are seeking their seventh consecutive conference title.

Misericordia, the 2025 MAC Freedom runner-up, was picked second with 56 points and received the remaining two first-place votes.

DeSales was selected third with 51 points, followed by Lebanon Valley in fourth with 44 points. Arcadia rounded out the top five with 35 points.

Marywood was picked sixth with 25 points, narrowly ahead of FDU-Florham which received 24 points. King's was selected eighth with 17 points, and Delaware Valley concluded the poll with nine points.

The Pacers enjoyed a historic 2025 campaign as they finished 25-5 overall and 5-2 in Atlantic East Conference play. They secured the second seed in the conference tournament and made their first conference championship appearance since 1993. Marywood now embarks on their first season as members of the MAC Freedom.

Maegen Eddinger enters her second season at the helm of the program. The Pacers bring back nearly their entire roster from last season, led by AEC Specialty Player of the Year and first team all-conference selection Ayla Bransford. Taylor Hallam, Carolina Samaniego, and Catie Woolf also return after earning conference honors last season.

Marywood kicks off the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1, hosting Elmira College at 7 p.m. The Pacers conference opener is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15 as they face Misericordia at home.

The full preseason order: Stevens (63 points, 7 first-place votes), Misericordia (56, 2), DeSales (51), Lebanon Valley (44), Arcadia (35), Marywood (25), FDU-Florham (24), King's (17) and Delaware Valley (9).

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Players Mentioned

#14 Ayla Bransford: S; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#11 Taylor Hallam: MB; 6' 0"; Senior

#13 Carolina Samaniego: OH; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#23 Catie Woolf: DS; 5' 4"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#14 Ayla Bransford
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: S

#11 Taylor Hallam
: 6' 0"; Senior
: MB

#13 Carolina Samaniego
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: OH

#23 Catie Woolf
: 5' 4"; Junior
: DS