BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- Wheeling and West Virginia State have been selected by the league coaches as the preseason favorites to win their respective divisions this fall.

This season marks the first complete regular season of divisional play in the Mountain East. (Teams played a limited, divisional schedule in the spring season.) 

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. Wheeling returns several key members from last year's squad including Audrey Francis, a four-time MEC Libero of the Year honoree. 

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 was tabbed as the favorite in the South Division, although two other teams received first-place votes in the poll. WVSU collected 63 points and eight first-place votes. 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.

Davis & Elkins was next 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.

The regular season gets underway on Thursday, Sept. 2. (View the complete schedule.)

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