BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. - Wheeling and West Virginia State have been voted as preseason favorites to win their respective divisions this fall, following a vote of the Mountain East Conference volleyball coaches. Both teams represented the MEC in the NCAA Atlantic Regional last fall.

West Liberty is picked second in the division for this fall, garnering 51 points and two first-place votes. Fairmont State (50 points) finished one vote behind West Liberty to take the No. 3 spot in the north, followed by Frostburg State (33), Notre Dame (31) and Alderson Broaddus (16). Charleston was next with 55 points and had three first-place votes. Davis & Elkins was picked third with 50 points and had the remaining first-place vote. Concord (28), Glenville State (27) and West Virginia Wesleyan (23) completed the poll.

Fairmont State is coming off a season last year where they went 11-5 in conference and 21-10 overall. There is five starters returning and two honorable mention all conference players (Keara Lewis and Bryce Knapp). Keara Lewis is coming off impressive junior season where she had 270 kills. Bryce Knapp is coming back from an injury and looking to make an immediate impact again. Keara Lewis and Bryce Knapp have been 4 year starters as well and look to finish there senior years on a high note. Two other seniors to keep an eye on are Amelia Moore and Madison Chapman. Amelia Moore was named to the All-Freshmen MEC Team back in 2019 and Madison Chapman has been a major contributor to the program ever since she arrived in 2019.The regular season gets underway on next week as we will be hosting the 2nd Annual Fairmont State Classic August 26/27. We will playing host to 5 teams Walsh University (Ohio), University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Slippery Rock, Ursuline College, Salem University. 
 
2022 MEC Volleyball Preseason Poll
MEC North Division
1. Wheeling - 65 (10)
2. West Liberty - 51 (2)
3. Fairmont State - 50
4. Frostburg State - 33
5. Notre Dame College - 31
6. Alderson Broaddus - 16

MEC South Division
1. West Virginia State - 63 (8)
2. Charleston - 55 (3)
3. Davis & Elkins - 50 (1)
4. Concord - 28
5. Glenville State - 27
6. W.Va. Wesleyan - 23
 
( ) Indicates first-place votes
* Coaches not permitted to vote for own team
( ) - First-place Votes