NORTH BOSTON, N.Y. – The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference released its 2019-20 Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday, and the Penn State Altoona women's basketball team was voted fourth place in it.

La Roche University, last year's regular season champion, was predicted to again finish atop the conference's standings this season. Hilbert College, the AMCC Tournament champions in each of the past two seasons, took second place in the poll, and Penn State Behrend came in third.

Penn State Altoona women's basketball was 12-14 overall last season, and the team tied for third place in the AMCC regular season standings with a 10-8 conference record. Guided by seventh-year head coach Casey Wilt, the Lady Lions will look to make a splash in the AMCC this season. The team's roster is highlighted by a starting five that includes three seniors and a junior.

Named as "Players to Watch" in the poll for Penn State Altoona were junior guard/forward Alexis Cannistraci (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone) and senior guard Finnley Christine (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone).

Cannistraci was a first team All-AMCC selection last season. In the conference last season, she ranked first in defensive rebounds (178), second in points per game (17.1), points (444), and total rebounds (244), and third in field goals made (157), free throws made (102), and rebounds per game (9.4). Cannistraci posted a team-high 12 double-doubles, and she was a two-time AMCC Player of the Week selection.

Christine was a second team All-Conference pick last year. In the AMCC, she was fifth in points per game (14.9), sixth in three-point percentage (33.1%), seventh in total points (387), eighth in field goals made (141) and three-pointers made (40), and 10th in free throws made (65), free throw percentage (71.4%), and assists (82). Christine earned one AMCC Player of the Week award last season.

Penn State Altoona women's basketball opens its 2019-20 season on Wednesday, November 13, when the Lady Lions will travel to play non-conference opponent Geneva College at 7:00 p.m. On Friday, November 15, Penn State Altoona has its home opener, when the Lady Lions will host non-conference foe Saint Vincent College at 6:00 p.m.

To view the full AMCC Preseason Poll, click HERE.