Hokies Tabbed Favorites in ALC-I
RICHMOND, Va. – After winning its second-consecutive league title and advancing to the finals of the 2023 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance, Virginia Tech has been named the favorite in the Atlantic Lacrosse Conference (ALC) Division I, according to the preseason coaches poll.
The Hokies (17-3), which outscored its first three opponents at nationals, 51-18, before running into Concordia in the title tilt, grabbed five of the eight first-place votes to sit in the big chair.
Liberty (15-4), which fell to the Hokies in the ALC championship by a game before advancing to nationals, was slotted second, bolstered by two first place votes.
There was a tie for the third spot in the preseason poll between West Virginia (8-4) and Tennessee (9-6). The two squads met last February with the Volunteers pulling out an 11-9 triumph.
James Madison (5-7) rounds out the top five with the Dukes snaring the final first-place vote.
2024 ALC Division I Preseason Coaches Poll
RANK | TEAM | POINTS | 1st VOTES |
1. | Virginia Tech | 11 | 5 |
2. | Liberty | 15 | 2 |
3t. | Tennessee | 35 | |
3t. | West Virginia | 35 | |
5. | James Madison | 43 | 1 |
6. | Clemson | 46 | |
7. | NC State | 54 | |
8. | Temple | 56 | |
9. | Pittsburgh | 66 | |
10. | East Carolina | 79 |