By: James Garcia, Sports Information Director
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University volleyball team was tabbed as the favorite to win the South Division in the 2021 MEC Preseason Poll. The Yellow Jackets received 63 points, and eight first-place votes, to be selected second overall in the Mountain East Conference preseason rankings.
The Yellow Jackets claimed the South Division title in the spring and also have several key starters back, including the MEC Player of the Year from the spring season,
Jenna Dufresne. Fellow outside hitter
Gabrielle Bullock is the other All-MEC First Team selection that is returning for her senior season. Another senior,
Grace Martin, returns for her swan song after being recognized with an All-MEC Honorable Mention in the spring. Meanwhile, setter
Peri Martin will join her sister for another season on the same team after being named to the Spring 2021 All-MEC Freshman Team and earning an honorable mention from the league.
Davis & Elkins was picked to finish second in the South Division with 56 points and had three first-place votes. Charleston was picked third with 44 points and had the remaining first-place vote. West Virginia Wesleyan (41), Concord (26) and Glenville State (16) completed the poll.
Wheeling, which won a share of the regular season North Division title and went on to win the MEC Tournament in the spring, is picked to win the North Division. The Cardinals had 66 points and 11 first-place votes.
Fairmont State shared the North Division title in the spring and is picked second in the division for this fall. The Falcons had 55 points and one first-place vote. West Liberty was next with 46 points, followed by Notre Dame (34), Alderson Broaddus (24) and Frostburg State (21).
West Virginia State will officially begin its 2021 campaign at the Kentucky State Invite on Friday, Sept. 3 and Saturday, Sept. 4. (View the complete 2021 schedule
here.)
2021 MEC Volleyball Preseason Poll
MEC North Division
1. Wheeling -- 66 (11)
2. Fairmont State -- 55 (1)
3. West Liberty -- 46
4. Notre Dame -- 34
5. Alderson Broaddus -- 24
6. Frostburg State -- 21
MEC South Division
1. West Virginia State -- 63 (8)
2. Davis & Elkins -- 56 (3)
3. Charleston -- 44 (1)
4. West Virginia Wesleyan -- 41
5. Concord -- 26
6. Glenville State -- 16
