RICHMOND, Va. – The newly formed Atlantic Lacrosse Conference (ALC) has tabbed Liberty as the favorite in the 2021 preseason coaches poll, which was released on Friday.

The ALC, an eight-team group that broke off from the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC), will have its own automatic qualifier to the 2021 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance.

The tournament will take place in Round Rock, Texas, from May 10-15.

Liberty, which garnered seven of the eight first-place votes, was 6-0 and ranked No. 4 in the New Balance MCLA national poll when the 2020 season was canceled.

Virginia Tech, Liberty’s longtime rival in the SELC Northwest subdivision, was slotted second. The Hokies, who were No. 17 in the country last spring, grabbed one first-place vote.

Clemson and West Virginia round out the top four.

“Preseason polls are fun, and it’s a good way to start generating some interest and optimism for the upcoming season, but ultimately we are going to have to prove it on the field,” said Liberty coach Kyle McQuillan.

“We had the chance to play all of the teams in the ALC last year, minus Virginia Tech and NC State, but it is still hard to gauge where we will all stand without having the opportunity to play out the 2020 season. We are hopeful for an exciting new year in the ALC and we are looking forward to the opportunity to earn a No. 1 ranking.”

2021 Atlantic Lacrosse Conference Preseason Coaches Poll