Colorado State is beginning 2015 where it left off in 2014, at least according to the AVCA preseason poll.

The Rams open the season ranked No. 12, the same spot they finished in the final poll last year after falling to Texas in the Sweet 16. The Longhorns, ranked No. 3 and receiving one first-place vote, host CSU on Sept. 13.

This is the third highest preseason ranking for the Rams, who have been in the AVCA poll in all 19 of coach Tom Hilbert’s season as head coach. They opened the 2004 season at No. 11.

In all, Colorado State has three ranked teams on the schedule — Arizona State (No. 16) and Iowa State (No. 21), both teams the Rams face at Moby Arena. Another team on the schedule, Texas A&M, received votes in the poll.

No other Mountain West team was ranked, nor did any others receive votes.

Two-time defending national champion Penn State opens the season atop the poll, followed by Stanford. Colorado, which CSU beat to advance to the Sweet 16 last year, is ranked No. 24.

The Rams open the season with a three-match set in the Rams Volleyball Classic, starting Aug. 28 against Baylor. The Rams all face UC Davis and Northern Iowa that weekend.