After a COVID-shortened 2021 season, the Penn State Altoona men's volleyball team is ready to get back on the court in a full slate of matches this season.

The Lions went 3-6 overall last season, including a 3-4 record in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference that put the team in fifth place in the conference's regular season standings. Penn State Altoona was picked to again finish fifth in the 2022 edition of the AMCC Preseason Coaches' Poll, but 10th-year head coach Phil Peterman hopes that his experienced roster will help his squad ascend the standings this year.

Penn State Altoona's 11-player roster includes nine returners from last year, six of whom were starters for the Lions.

"I think having returners is key to any successful program," said Peterman. "They all came back eager to work hard and accomplish their goals for this upcoming season."

Leading the way for the Lions' returning players are sophomore outside hitters Jared Bodisch (Red Lion, PA/Red Lion) and Philip Silva (Brazil/Richard Montgomery), who were each second team All-AMCC selections last spring and were named Players to Watch for Penn State Altoona heading into the 2022 campaign.

Bodisch ranked 11th in the AMCC last season in total digs (64) and digs per set (1.88), 12th in kills per set (2.18), 14th in points per set (2.4), and 15th in total kills (74), while Silva was third in the conference in kills per set (3.44), fourth in solo blocks (7), fifth in points per set (3.8), eighth in total kills (110) and hitting percentage (.233), and ninth in total blocks (14), blocks per set (0.44), and total points (120.5).

Other returning starters for Penn State Altoona are senior libero Micah Brinker (Lock Haven, PA/PA Cyber), sophomore middle blocker/right side hitter Trey Sadler (Grantville, PA/Lower Dauphin), sophomore middle blocker Jared Kish (Columbus, OH/Hilliard Darby), and sophomore setter Connor Baker (Red Lion, PA/Red Lion). Last season, Brinker ranked fourth in the AMCC in digs per set (2.35), Sadler was eighth in the conference in solo blocks (6) and 15th in total blocks (13), Kish was 12th in solo blocks (5) and blocks per set (0.40), and Baker was ninth in the league in assists per set (4.30).

Rounding out Penn State Altoona's deep class of returners are senior libero/defensive specialist Eric Cassaday (Bel Air, MD/Bel Air), sophomore middle blocker Connor Ebersole (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle), and sophomore outside hitter/middle blocker Ryan Martin (Pittsburgh, PA/North Hills).

"Connor Baker is going to be key dishing out sets for the offense to flow. Jared Kish, Jared Bodisch, Trey Sadler, and Philip Silva will all bring speed and power to their positions," Peterman explained. "Micah Brinker and Eric Cassaday will anchor our defense and serve receive, as well."

The Lions also welcome two first-year newcomers to the roster in 2022: outside hitter/middle blocker Avery Farabaugh (Carrolltown, PA/Cambria Heights) and libero Jeremy Winter (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa).

"Men's volleyball is a long season," said Peterman. "A successful team needs the newcomers to contribute right away by providing valuable minutes for the starters."

After last season's shortened schedule that was comprised of seven total conference matches and one non-conference match during the regular season, the Lions will get back to normal competition in 2022. Penn State Altoona's schedule this year consists of 27 total matches, including a full 16-match lineup of AMCC play. Peterman hopes that his team will remain healthy and display consistency on the court to live up to its potential and generate wins.

"I think our team is going to be very good this season," he said. "As long as we can stay healthy, we will be tough to beat down the stretch. As always, it's championship or bust."