The defending Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference women's volleyball champion, Penn State Altoona, is brimming with optimism for the 2024 season.

Penn State Altoona returns a wealth of talent along with a highly regarded recruiting class.

Penn State Altoona captured the AMCC championship last year by defeating Alfred State in the championship match. The victory earned the Lions a berth in the NCAA Division III national tournament, where Penn State Altoona lost to eventual national champion Juniata College in the first round.

Under the direction of Penn State Altoona interim head coach and AMCC Coach of the Year, Jamie McGreal, the Lions recorded an 8-1 record in conference, earned the AMCC regular-season championship, and clinched the right to host the conference championship.

The Lions return three all-conference starters in AMCC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-star, senior libero Anna Batrus (Altoona, PA/Altoona), AMCC Newcomer of the Year and second-team all-star, sophomore outside hitter Lia Simanski (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle), and third-team all-star, senior middle hitter Makenna Port (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte).

Other returning starters include senior middle Taylor Myers (Morrisdale, PA/West Branch), senior defensive specialist/libero Abigail Brinker (Lock Haven, PA/PHAA), junior right sides Jadeyn Price (Altoona, PA/Altoona) and Morgan Fussell (Blairsville, GA/Union County), and sophomore setters Julia Emel (Woodward, PA/Penns Valley) and Gabriella Serra (Queens, NY/Benjamin Cardozo).

"Our four seniors - Anna Batrus, Abby Brinker, Taylor Myers, and Makenna Port - will be instrumental in our team's success. They bring experience, leadership, and set the tone for practice and our matches," said first-year Penn State Altoona women's volleyball coach Bob Kasun, who also serves as the men's volleyball coach.

"We have other returning or part-time starters like Lia Simanski, Julia Emel, Gabby Serra, Morgan Fussell, and Jadeyn Price. Our team depth is definitely a team strength."

Penn State Altoona also returns junior outside hitter Baileigh Mount (Macungie, PA/Emmaus) and sophomore middle hitter Jillian Taylor (Irvona, PA/Glendale), who will be challenging for playing time.

To add to Penn State Altoona's optimism is a strong recruiting class featuring seven first-year players and a sophomore transfer.

"We brought in eight new players to our team. Seven first-year players and a sophomore transfer. Their impact was immediate in our practice gym. Combined with our returning players, our gym is really competitive," Kasun said.

"Madelyn Rockwell (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone) has set very well in preseason and in scrimmages, and Maggie Brewer (NuMine, PA/West Shamokin) has the ability to be a terminator hitter at opposite. Ella Hadley (Spring Mills, PA/Penns Valley) and Emalee Cavender have been battling for a starting position at outside hitter. Players like Brianna Woodring (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle-Antrim), Frankie Stricker, Heather Brumbaugh (Martinsburg, PA/Central), and Hannah Thompson (Reynoldsville, PA/Homeschool) are competing for playing time."

Penn State Altoona was named the favorite in the AMCC preseason coaches' poll. While Kasun acknowledged that is a great team honor, he cautioned that makes them the targeted team.

"We believe we have the talent to make another run at an AMCC title," Kasun said. "We are not taking anything for granted. Every match is going to have to be an earned victory. On the whole, the AMCC is on the rise and every conference match will be a battle.

"Our goals are to win the AMCC championship again, and improve our record in the non-conference schedule starting with the Great Lakes Crossover. We have a great blend of returning players and new players, and our team is working really hard at practice."

Kasun also highlighted the strength of the coaching staff with McGreal and new assistant coach Dave Eckberg, who coached Philipsburg-Osceola to a PIAA, Class AA state championship last year.

"This team will benefit greatly from our coaching staff of AMCC Coach of the Year Jamie McGreal and state championship coach Dave Eckberg," Kasun said. "Our team is open to coaching and they want to improve."

Penn State Altoona opens the season in Sandusky, Ohio, Aug. 30-31, at the Great Lakes Crossover Tournament. Along with the AMCC conference schedule, Penn State Altoona faces a challenging schedule with matches against Presidents Athletic Conference opponents Chatham, Saint Vincent, Washington & Jefferson, Geneva, and Bethany College.