ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Penn State Altoona women's basketball has been voted into sixth place in the 2017-18 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference's Preseason Coaches Poll, which was released on Monday to open up the first week of regular season basketball in Division III.

La Roche College, winners of the past seven AMCC titles, were picked by the conference coaches to repeat this year, as the Lady Redhawks were voted into first place. Pitt-Bradford and Medaille College, which both tied for second place in the AMCC last year, were selected second and third, respectively.

Penn State Altoona women's basketball posted a 6-16 overall record last year, including a 6-12 mark in the AMCC. Head coach Casey Shoup, who is entering her fifth year at the helm of the women's basketball program, will look to guide her team up the AMCC standings this season. The Lady Lions feature seven returners from last year's team.

Two of Penn State Altoona's top returners, senior forwards Megan Wheeler (Lilly, PA/Penn Cambria) and Shannon Zimmerman (Pine Grove, PA/Pine Grove), were picked as "Players to Watch" in the poll.

Wheeler was a third team All-AMCC selection last season. The forward was third in the conference in blocks (37), sixth in rebounds per game (8.1), and 14th in points per game (12.6).

Zimmerman was seventh in the AMCC last year in blocks (32), 10th in field goal percentage (44.9%), and 16th in points per game (12.0).

Penn State Altoona women's basketball starts its season on the road this Wednesday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m., traveling to play at Division II Lock Haven University. The Lady Lions' first home game is set to occur on Wednesday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m. in the new Adler Arena against AMCC opponent Franciscan University.