BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The West Liberty University Acrobatics & Tumbling team received a first-place vote and was picked to finish second in the Mountain East Conference this spring when the MEC coaches released their annual preseason poll on Friday.
    Head coach Kelsey Kyle, who had her Hilltoppers off to a record-setting start in her debut season last spring, will be mixing a solid recruiting class with a nucleus of experienced returnees as her Lady Hilltoppers continue to climb the MEC ladder.  
    Leading the way for the Hilltoppers are a quartet of All-MEC performers, including 2019 first-team All-MEC junior Theresa Evengelista with second-team All-MEC picks Kylee Buzzard, Lexus Ficca and Kenzie Kyle bolstering a deep and talented roster.
    Nationally-ranked defending MEC champion Fairmont State held off the Black and Gold for the No. 1 spot in the coaches' preseason voting with six of the seven first-place votes and 36 points. West Liberty was second with the remaining first-place vote and 31 points. Glenville State (26), Davis & Elkins (18), Frostburg State (16) and W.Va. Wesleyan (12) rounded out the list.
    The Hilltoppers are busy preparing to open the 2021 season at home against Davis & Elkins. First heat is set for 6 p.m. on March 2 inside the ASRC.
  1. Fairmont State (6)   36
2. WEST LIBERTY (1)   31
3. Glenville State          26
4. Davis & Elkins           18
5. Frostburg State        16
6. W.Va. Wesleyan      12