The Jaspers return two of their top four hitters from last season: senior Sandra Lozanova (Pernik, Bulgaria/Fresno State), who earned a team-high 204 kills, and sophomore Jade Jeffrey (Tamarac, FL / Cardinal Gibbons), who compiled 121 kills. Also returning is senior defensive specialist Alyssa Rehrer (Lorton, VA / South County), who nabbed 486 digs last season, the ninth-best single-season performance in program history. She goes in to the 2018 season with 1,048 digs for her career.
After the loss of primary setter Zoe Lindsey (587 assists) to graduation, Manhattan brings in three freshman setters to take over: Shruti Mangipudi (San Ramon, CA / Dougherty Valley), Erin Prevo (San Diego, CA / Our Lady of Peace Academy), and Abby Wilde (Parkesberg, PA / Octorora), Other newcomers include outside hitter/middle blocker Julia Menocal (Bronx, NY / Preston) and outside hitter Vivian Donovan (Newport Beach, CA / Newport Harbor).
Fairfield was the coaches' choice as the MAAC Volleyball preseason favorite. The Stags have won three straight MAAC Championships and sport the Preseason Co-Player of the Year, Manuela Nicolini. Iona College's Claire Archibald shares the honor in the preseason with Nicolini.
Manhattan will kick off the 2018 season at St. John's Jack Kaiser Volleyball Classic from August 24-25 in Queens. The Jaspers will open against the Red Storm on the first day of the tournament, followed by Central Connecticut State and Eastern Michigan on the 25th.
| School (first place votes) | Coaches' Votes |
| Fairfield (9) | 97 |
| Iona (1) | 84 |
| Marist | 77 |
| Quinnipiac | 65 |
| Niagara | 56 |
| Rider | 51 |
| Siena | 43 |
| Canisius | 39 |
| Manhattan | 24 |
| Saint Peter's | 14 |