The Canisius volleyball team was picked to finish fourth in the 2026 Metro Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference office announced on Thursday.
Thursday's poll marking the Golden Griffins highest preseason ranking since the 2021 season, where they were picked to finish third.
Canisius received a total of 101 points, finishing nine points shy of third place Rider, who received one first-place vote and 110 total points. Defending league regular season and tournament champion Fairfield top the poll with 142 points and eight first-place votes while Quinnipiac claimed second with 110 total points and one first-place nod.
Niagara (81) followed behind Canisius in fifth with Siena (80) one point back of the Purple Eagles in sixth. Sacred Heart (77) was tabbed seventh while Marist (62), Iona (55), Merrimack (48), Saint Peters (28) and Manhattan (25) rounded out the poll.
Canisius opens its 2026 season Aug. 28-29 on the road with an appearance in the YSU Invitational in Youngstown, Ohio. The Griffs open the two-day event with matches against Duquesne and Mercyhurst day one before squaring off against the host Youngstown State on day two to close out the event.
The 2026 Metro Volleyball Championship is a six-team, single elimination championship taking place Nov. 17-23. The first round will be hosted by the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds. The semifinal round and championship final will be hosted by the No. 1 seed. The semifinal round and the championship final will be played on Nov. 20-23, with dates to be determined later in the season.
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