VILLANOVA, Pa. — The Villanova water polo team was picked to finish third in MAAC in the 2026 campaign and sophomore attacker Riley Hull was named to the Preseason All-MAAC team Monday. 

The 'Cats received 56 points in the voting and trailed two-time defending champions Wagner (80) and Marist (72). 

Hull received All-MAAC honors after a freshman season which saw the attacker take home a Second Team All-MAAC selection and was the 2025 MAAC Freshman of the Year. Hull also was an ACWPC All-American honorable mention.

In that 2025 campaign, Hull broke the Villanova freshman scoring record after netting 81 goals. 

Notably in 2026, MAAC has decreased conference games from 12 games to eight. 

VU will take on La Salle, Wagner, LIU, Marist, VMI, Siena, Iona and M.t St. Mary's in its conference slate. The top four teams in the conference will make the MAAC championship tournament in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 

Villanova finished 21-12 in 2025. 

Preseason 2026 MAAC Water Polo Poll Results

1. Wagner 80 (8)
2. Marist 72 (1)
3. Villanova 56 
4. LIU 54
5. Iona 42
6. La Salle 40 
7. Mt. St. Mary's 27
8. Siena 23
9. VMI 11