The Penn State Altoona men's volleyball team appeared primed for a run into the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Tournament last spring. The Lions had worked their way out to a 3-2 start in conference play, but the remainder of the season – including the heart of its AMCC schedule – was cancelled due to the spread of COVID-19.

As the beginning of Penn State Altoona's 2021 schedule approaches, ninth-year head coach Phil Peterman will be relying heavily on newcomers to contribute alongside his team's returning players. Out of the Lions' 14-man roster, nine are first-year members of the program. With so many newcomers on the squad, Peterman will count on his five returners to set the standard.

"These young guys have so much talent and just need to be molded into the winning traditions of Penn State Altoona men's volleyball," Peterman explained. "It is so important to set a standard from the beginning, and I feel that my senior, Frank Perehinec, has really stepped up his leadership qualities thus far."

Senior outside hitter/right side Frank Perehinec (Altoona, PA/Altoona) leads Penn State Altoona's group of returners this season after being a second team All-AMCC selection last spring and starting all 19 matches. He finished second in the conference in solo blocks (15), 11th in kills (147), kills per set (2.26), and points (175.0), 12th in total digs (117) and points per set (2.7), 14th in digs per set (1.8), 18th in total blocks (29), 25th in blocks per set (0.45), 28th in hitting percentage (.128), and 33rd in block assists (14). Perehinec was highlighted as one of the Lions' two players to watch in the 2021 AMCC Preseason Coaches' Poll, in which Penn State Altoona was picked to finish third this season.

Peterman also anticipates a larger role for sophomore outside hitter Abel Gebre (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra), who joined Perehinec as one of Penn State Altoona's players recognized in the preseason poll. Gebre appeared in 15 matches for the Lions last spring, swinging at a .381 attack percentage.

Penn State Altoona's core of returners is rounded out by junior liberos/defensive specialists Micah Brinker (Lock Haven, PA/PA Cyber) and Eric Cassaday (Bel Air, MD/Bel Air) and sophomore setter Matthew Faust (New Oxford, PA/New Oxford). Last season, Brinker posted 61 digs, Cassaday tallied 13 digs and seven service aces, and Faust recorded 21 assists.

Peterman is also excited about his freshman class and what it will add to the program for this season and the next several years to come. This spring, the Lions welcome nine new players to their ranks: setter Connor Baker (Red Lion, PA/Red Lion), outside hitter Jared Bodisch (Red Lion, PA/Red Lion), middle blockers Connor Ebersole (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle) and Jared Kish (Columbus, OH/Hilliard Darby), outside hitter/middle blocker Ryan Martin (Pittsburgh, PA/North Hills), outside hitter/defensive specialist Sam Mills (Fairfax, VA/ACS International School, London), libero/defensive specialist Payton Reed (Columbus, OH/Hilliard Darby), middle blocker/right side Trey Sadler (Grantville, PA/Lower Dauphin), and outside hitter/right side Philip Silva (Brazil/Richard Montgomery).

"I am expecting a lot out of this freshman class. I think Jared Kish, Trey Sadler, and Connor Ebersole will all play significant time in the middle. Philip Silva brings speed and power to the right side position, and Jared Bodisch will see a lot of action on the outside, as he is crushing balls," said Peterman. "Connor Baker will have a significant role as our new setter, and Payton Reed is doing a phenomenal job playing defense in the back row."

Due to AMCC COVID-19 protocols, the men's volleyball team's 2021 schedule will be much more abbreviated than usual. The Lions are currently slated to play eight matches this spring, with seven of them being against conference opponents. With so few matches on the schedule, Peterman understands that starting strong and playing consistently will be more important this year.

"We need to start off strong right away," he said. "With only seven AMCC matches, we don't ever want to be trying to play catch up or hoping for other schools to take care of our business."

Penn State Altoona men's volleyball opens its 2021 schedule on Wednesday, March 17, traveling to Beaver Falls to face AMCC opponent Geneva College at 7:00 p.m. Then, the Lions return to campus for their home opener on Saturday, March 20 at 1:00 p.m. against non-conference opponent Lancaster Bible College.

The remainder of the Lions' schedule plays out with home matches against AMCC foes Hiram College (Wednesday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m.), Saint Vincent College (Wednesday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m.), and Penn State Behrend (Saturday, April 3 at 5:00 p.m.), as well as road matches at conference opponents Thiel College (Tuesday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m.), Hilbert College (Friday, March 26, start time TBA), and Medaille College (Saturday, March 27 at 3:00 p.m.).

Peterman knows that this season will present new challenges for his team to overcome. But he believes that consistent play and limiting mistakes will be big keys to success.

"First, we need to find our voice and energy. It is hard to communicate and find your energy wearing masks on the court, so communication is going to be huge," Peterman stressed. "Also, ball control and passing is going to be very important. It is hard to imitate some of these wicked jump serves in the practice environment. If we can side out and eliminate our own errors, I believe we will be super successful this upcoming season."