Yesterday the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) released its first NCAA Division III National Poll for 2013, and the Clarkson University Volleyball team, thanks to an historic 2012 season, found its way on to the list, receiving a pre-season ranking of 23rd in the country.

The Golden Knights finished the 2012 season in the NCAA National Championships, falling in the quarterfinals to the eventual national champion, St. Thomas (Minn.). Thanks to the strong post-season run, Clarkson earned its first-ever national ranking, edging into the final ballot at number-25.

With the entire staring lineup returning for 2013 and another strong recruiting class, pollsters took notice and pushed the Knights up two spots for the first ranking, the highest spot attained by any team in the New York Region. Among New York schools only SUNY Cortland, one spot behind Clarkson, gained a national ranking.

Clarkson will be tested often in 2013, facing six nationally-ranked opponents on seven different occasions. Two other schools that also received votes but were unranked will also test the Golden Knights this season.