The Calvin women’s volleyball team was recently ranked No. 2  in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association coaches poll.

This comes after their national runner-up finish last year. The team fell in the title match to the University of St. Thomas, who is ranked No. 1.

Rival Hope College ranked No. 5.

“The rankings are a reflection of last season, and, at this point, it doesn’t matter what we did last season,” said senior setter and two-time All-American Megan Reitema.

“I think initially it can be a good little confidence booster coming into the season, but we all know that the rankings mean nothing. We have to come into the gym every morning this preseason working our hardest no matter what our ranking is.”

The Knights graduated out a strong senior class last year, including National Player of the Year Lizzie Kamp. Reitema and her fellow seniors are expected to lead the team.

“We have a lot of talent returning this year and are excited to kick off the season and work as a team to perform to our highest abilities,” said Reitema.

The Knights start their season playing in the University of Puget Sound Premier Tournament at the end of the month.