As the Penn State Altoona women's basketball team prepares to embark on its 2024-25 campaign, hopes are high for the program. Last season, the team went 15-12 overall, including an 11-7 record within the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. The Lions placed third in the league's regular season standings and compiled their biggest overall win total since the 2009-10 season.

Entering this season, league coaches expect Penn State Altoona to have another strong year, as the Lions were voted third in the AMCC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Head coach Halee Hutchinson, who enters her fourth regular season and fifth year overall at the helm of the program, understands that balanced and consistent play will be needed to live up to expectations.

"I think we will need to execute offensively while taking the best shots on each possession, rebound the basketball, both offensively and defensively, and make defensive plays that help lead to good offense," she stated.

Penn State Altoona's roster has the players to pull off that smart and balanced style of play, led by eight returners from last year. The Lions bring back their entire starting five from last season: senior guard Jordan Bisignani (Pittsburgh, PA/Peters Township), junior forward Avana Sayles (Venetia, PA/Peters Township), junior guard/forward Jaidyn McCracken (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis), junior guard Jess Burns (South Fayette, PA/South Fayette), and sophomore forward Raniyah Green (Hillside, NJ/East Orange/Hillside).

Bisignani, McCracken, and Sayles were all voted to the 2023-24 All-AMCC team, while Burns and Green also had strong seasons for the Lions last winter. Other returners include junior guard/forward Infiniti Lewis (Richmond, VA/J.R. Tucker), junior guard Sydney Barnett (Suwanee, GA/North Gwinnett), and sophomore forward Rakaya Cooper (East Orange, NJ/East Orange).

"The returners bring experience to the team and within our conference. All five of my starters are back from last year, and each one brings a different skill set," said Hutchinson "All five can score in different ways. Jess, Jaidyn, and Jordan all bring their ability to shoot the three. Raniyah is our offensive rebounder and has been getting to the basket a lot better this preseason, and Avana has expanded her game to not only being a threat on offense, but also defense. Rakaya also returns this year and brings athleticism, rebounding, and the ability to score in multiple ways around the basket."

The other half of Penn State Altoona's 16-player roster is comprised of eight newcomers, who enter their first seasons with the program: junior forward Haley Hicks (Wylie, TX/Wylie East), sophomore guard Madison Rusnica (DuBois, PA/DuBois), freshmen forwards Skylar McCall (Cleveland Heights, OH/Cleveland Heights) and Addi Schirato (Salix, PA/Forest Hills), freshmen guard/forwards Layilah Drakes (Saegertown, PA/Saegertown) and Halle Kuzminski (Warren, PA/Warren), and freshmen guards Addy Nardolillo (Hinsdale, NH/Hinsdale) and Allyana Stephens (Johnstown, PA/Bishop McCort).

"My newcomers add depth to our rotation. Madison is a guard that will be able to help in bringing the ball up the court. Her athleticism helps our defense, and she has the ability to score off the bounce," Hutchinson explained. "We add some height and post play with Addi, Haley, and Halle."

With its mix of experience and talent, Penn State Altoona hopes to make another run in the AMCC Tournament this season. Last year, the Lions reached the semifinal round of the conference playoffs, where they lost by seven points to the eventual champion, Penn State Behrend. This time, Hutchinson and her squad hope to have even more success, but they know what it will require along the way.

"I am expecting our team to give everything they have every game, play unselfishly and tough, and compete," said Hutchinson. "I am happy with how hard they have worked in preseason and am looking forward to seeing who will step up in any given game."

Penn State Altoona women's basketball opens its 2024-25 schedule on the road against York College (Pa.) this Friday, November 8, at 6 p.m.