ANNVILLE, Pa. - On Tuesday, the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) announced the results of their Preseason Coaches' Poll for the upcoming men's volleyball season. After winning the 2021 MAC Championship, their first in program history, the Messiah Falcons were honored with a unanimous selection at the top of the poll with all nine first-place votes from the other teams in the conference.
Not only did the Falcons claim their first-ever Conference Championship, but Messiah advanced to the Elite Eight with a First Round victory over Fontbonne. Despite being knocked out by the eventual National Champion Carthage Firebirds, Messiah finished the 2021 season with an impressive overall record of 17-3.
The Falcons turned in a conference mark of 14-2 last season en route to the MAC Championship. Messiah won that Conference Championship in thrilling fashion, earning a reverse sweep of the Stevenson Mustangs, 3-2. After dropping the first two sets in the match, Messiah rallied back to claim the third, fourth, and fifth sets to claim the conference championship in just the fourth year as a varsity program.
As mentioned, Messiah was picked atop the MAC for the 2022 season with nine first-place votes and a total of 81 points in the Preseason Coaches' Poll. Stevens earned 71 points to finish second in the preseason voting while Stevenson (61), Arcadia (59), and Alvernia (50) rounded out the top-five.
The Falcons will begin their season on Jan. 19 with a trip to Arlington, Va. to take on the Marymount Saints. Five-straight neutral or road matches are scheduled before the Falcons step onto Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena for their first home match on Feb. 1 against the Juniata Eagles.
Fans are encouraged to follow GoMessiah.com in the coming weeks for a full preview of the 2022 season.
2022 MAC Men's Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Poll
1 - Messiah - 81 points (9 first-place votes)
2 - Stevens - 71
3 - Stevenson - 61
4 - Arcadia - 59
5 - Alvernia - 50
6 - Misericordia - 44
7 - Eastern - 26
8 - King's - 23
9 - Widener - 21
10 - Wilkes - 14
