On the heels of a successful 2021 campaign, expectations are high surrounding the Penn State Altoona women's volleyball team as it enters the 2022 season.

The Lions went 16-5 overall last fall, with the squad's total of 16 wins representing the most since 2014. The team went 6-2 within the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference, placing third in the conference's regular season standings and reaching the semifinal round of the league's postseason tournament.

Penn State Altoona was predicted to again finish third in the AMCC this season, according to this year's edition of the AMCC Preseason Coaches' Poll. But 14th-year head coach Phil Peterman believes that his team has the potential to place higher than third and make a run at a conference championship.

"I am very excited to see what this team can accomplish together. The goal is to win the AMCC championship and earn a bid into the NCAA Tournament," said Peterman. "We have a tough schedule, but I hope that it prepares us for a deep conference run. The goal is to send our seniors out with an AMCC championship ring."

Experience is a significant asset to the team this season, as 13 players from Penn State Altoona's 18-member roster are returners from last year. Leading the way are a trio of seniors: outside hitter Lydia Mock (Alum Bank, PA/Chestnut Ridge), libero Erin Lutz (State College, PA/State College), and setter Kayla Moran (State College, PA/State College).

Mock was chosen as the AMCC's Preseason Player of the Year entering this season, as she comes off of a 2021 campaign that saw her finish third in the conference in kills per set (3.21), fourth in total kills (202) and points per set (3.6), and seventh in total points (224.5). Lutz anchored the Lions' defense and ranked second in the AMCC in digs per set (4.86) and third in total digs (340), and Moran quarterbacked Penn State Altoona's offense and finished second in the league in assists per set (8.92) and third in total assists (651).

Additionally, the Lions return junior outside hitter Lacee Barnhart (Bellefonte, PA/Bald Eagle), who was fifth in the AMCC last season in kills per set (2.85), sixth in points per set (3.3), and ninth in total kills (171).

Mock, Lutz, Moran, and Barnhart were all selected to the All-AMCC team last season, with Mock being voted first team, Barnhart and Lutz getting second team nods, and Moran earning a spot on the third team.

"Lydia, coming in as the Preseason Player of the Year, will have a lot to prove this season. Erin is anchoring our defense and serve receive, and she is not letting anything hit the ground," said Peterman. "Kayla is doing an awesome job distributing the ball and managing our offense. We are also happy to have Lacee back healthy and hitting harder than ever following her postseason injury last year."

Penn State Altoona also welcomes back nine other players from last season's roster. Outside Karlie Feathers (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis) and middle Taylor Kilmer (Julian, PA/Bald Eagle) are back for their third years, while middle/outside Taylor Myers (Morrisdale, PA/West Branch), middle Makenna Port (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte), and defensive specialists Anna Batrus (Altoona, PA/Altoona), Abigail Brinker (Lock Haven, PA/PHAA), Allie Godwin (Pittsburgh, PA/West Allegheny), Michele Imler (Imler, PA/Claysburg-Kimmel), and Kristen Onder (Clarence, PA/Bald Eagle) return for their sophomore seasons.

"Our returners all look impressive, and I can tell that they put some work in during the offseason," Peterman stated. "The sky is the limit for this group. They are constantly competing in practice and making each other better every day."

Additionally, the program adds five freshmen to the fold in 2022: outsides Laura Albright (Osterburg, PA/Chestnut Ridge), Hailey Hill (Fannettsburg, PA/Fannett-Metal), Baileigh Mount (Macungie, PA/Emmaus), and Jadeyn Price (Altoona, PA/Altoona) and middle/right side Morgan Fussell (Blairsville, GA/Union County).

"Our newcomers bring a lot of height, power, and enthusiasm to the court," said Peterman. "I believe a few may be major contributors, too. They are constantly battling for starting positions and pushing the returners on a daily basis."

The Lions will get their 2022 schedule underway this Friday, September 2 and Saturday, September 3, when the team will compete in four matches during the Gettysburg College Battlefield Classic.