POTSDAM -- Receiving all six first-place votes from opposing coaches in the conference, the Clarkson University volleyball team sits atop the Liberty League preseason coaches' poll for the second time in three seasons.

The Golden Knights gained six first-place votes with a total of 36 points overall, their best figure in the three-year history of the preseason poll.

Vassar placed second with 29 points and the other first-place vote, while Skidmore (27), RIT (22), Union (15), St. Lawrence (12), and Bard (6) rounded out the conference prognostications.

Clarkson was the favorite for the title in 2011, gaining five first-place votes and 35 points to outdistance a scattered field, and in 2012 the Knights trailed Skidmore by two points for the top spot but split the first-place selections with three nods each.

The Knights went 31-7 overall in 2012 and reached the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, falling to the eventual national champions.

Clarkson graduated just one senior last year, and is ranked 23rd in the AVCA preseason coaches' poll.