With no explanation, chose the best option from "A", "B", "C" or "D". arbitration award because arbitrator Southworth’s actions in making ex parte contact with a witness for the plaintiff constituted misconduct in violation of G.S. § l-567.13(a)(2). This statute provides: (a) Upon application of a party, the court shall vacate an award where: (2) There was evident partiality by an arbitrator appointed as a neutral or corruption in any of the arbitrators or misconduct prejudicing the rights of any party. G.S. § l-567.13(a)(2) (1983). An arbitration award is ordinarily presumed valid and the burden of proving specific grounds for vacating an award rests on the party attacking it. Thomas v. Howard, 51 N.C. App. 350 n & Jones Construction Co., 72 N.C. App. 149, 154-55, 323 S.E.2d 466, 469-70 (1984), disc. review denied, 313 N.C. 507, 329 S.E.2d 396 (1985) (<HOLDING>). Defendants have failed to carry their burden

A: holding that it may not
B: holding that arbitrators were not guilty of misconduct by receiving evidence from one party and using it in their deliberations when it was not properly before them
C: holding that it is not
D: recognizing commonwealth court authority supporting proposition that arbitrators exceeded their jurisdiction when they considered issues which were not properly presented in the demand for arbitration
B.