The Penn State Altoona women's basketball team enters its 2023-24 season with high hopes. The Lions are predicted by Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference coaches to improve upon their performance from last year, when the team went 11-14 overall and 8-6 in the conference, by being voted third place in this season's edition of the preseason coaches' poll.

The Lions' 15-player roster is bolstered by nine returners from last season, including three players who earned All-AMCC honors last year. Sophomore forward Avana Sayles (Venetia, PA/Peters Township) was a second-team all-conference pick last winter, while sophomore guard Jess Burns (South Fayette, PA/South Fayette) and senior guard Sarah Huston (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) both earned third-team honors.

Sayles ranked fourth in the AMCC last season in field goals made (162), total rebounds (236), and rebounds per game (9.4) while also being eighth in points per game (15.3). Meanwhile, Burns was second in the league in three-point percentage (38.8), sixth in three-pointers made (47), and ninth in assists per game (2.7), and Huston was seventh in the conference in assists (79) and eighth in steals (50) while averaging 11.9 points per game in an injury-shortened season.

Penn State Altoona's other returners are junior guard Jordan Bisignani (Pittsburgh, PA/Peters Township), junior forward/center Emily Munson (New Hartford, CT/Northwestern Regional), sophomore guard/forwards Infiniti Lewis (Richmond, VA/J.R. Tucker) and Jaidyn McCraken (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis), sophomore forward Camryn Figard (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg), and sophomore guard Sydney Barnett (Suwanee, GA/North Gwinnett).

Head coach Halee Adams, who enters her third season leading the program, anticipates her returners being the foundation of the team.

"My returners know what I expect from them and have been working to improve on their basketball skills, as well as their leadership skills," she said. "I will rely on them to bring the freshmen along and create a competitive environment for our team."

Penn State Altoona welcomes six freshmen to its roster this season: guards Lexi Colaianni (Pittsburgh, PA/Kiski Area), Abby Crossman (Lilly, PA/Penn Cambria), Chelsea McCaulsky (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis), and Angelina Medina (North Port, FL/North Port) and forwards Rakaya Cooper (East Orange, NJ/East Orange) and Raniyah Green (Hillside, NJ/East Orange/Hillside).

"The newcomers we have added come from multiple states and all bring a different type of playing style. Raniyah Green brings a solid all-around game. She has the ability to score in any capacity, but also is a solid rebounder. Rakaya Cooper's quickness will really help us in the defensive pressure we hope to bring," Adams explained. "I have also added Abby Crossman, who brings length and the ability to score from anywhere. Angelina Medina is a quick point guard who can make some really nice passes. We have also added Lexi Colaianni, a knock-down three-point shooter with range, and Chelsea McCaulsky, a local player who sees the floor and makes anyone she is playing with better."

Adams hopes that the blend of returning players and newcomers will come together as the season progresses to help the team find success on a consistent basis.

"We lost Emma Kitko, who brought a lot of leadership, to graduation last year. So we will need people to step up and lead on the floor and in the locker room," said Adams. "Even though we have a solid group of returners, we have added talented freshmen, and the team is learning to get used to how each player plays. Each day, we are getting better and becoming more cohesive as a team."

Penn State Altoona women's basketball starts its regular season schedule on Wednesday, November 8, traveling to play Penn College at 5 p.m. The Lions follow that with their first two home games of the season versus Penn State Beaver (Sunday, November 12 at 7 p.m.) and Lycoming College (Wednesday, November 15 at 6 p.m.). After two more non-conference road games, the team gets into its AMCC schedule by the end of November.

"My hope for the team this year is that they bring out and learn to play with each other's strengths, make fun and fantastic plays on the court, and they have fun while working hard to accomplish the goals that we have set for this season," said Adams.