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LATROBE -- The Penn State Altoona women's volleyball team was predicted by Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference coaches to take second place this upcoming season, as the league office released its 2026 women's volleyball preseason coaches' poll on Tuesday morning.
Penn State Behrend, the defending AMCC champion, was voted into first place in the poll, while Penn State Altoona was second. Mount Aloysius College rounded out the top three spots.
Behrend and Altoona tied for second place in the AMCC's regular-season standings last fall, while Mount Aloysius finished with the top record in the conference during the regular season.
Penn State Altoona went 14-14 overall last year, including a 6-2 mark within the AMCC. Led by third-year head coach Bob Kasun, the Lions' 2026 roster pairs a deep group of returners with a strong incoming class.
Named in the poll as "Players to Watch" this season for Penn State Altoona were senior outside hitter Lia Simanski (Bishop Guilfoyle) and junior outside/right-side hitter Hannah Swank.
Simanski was a first-team All-AMCC selection last season, when she ranked eighth in the conference in kills per set (3.10) and points per set (3.4), ninth in kills (267), 12th in total points (295.0), 16th in digs per set (3.01), 19th in hitting percentage (.155), and 21st in digs (259).
For Brianna Baker's Mount Aloysius team, senior middle blocker Mackenzie Barr and senior libero Madison Barr were named as players to watch.
Juniata tops poll
HUNTINGDON -- The Juniata College women's volleyball team was ranked No. 1 in the Landmark Conference preseason poll on Tuesday.
Scranton was second, and Catholic was third.
Juniata, with coach Heather Pavlik in her 16th season, enters 2026 as the defending Landmark champion and with one of the deepest returning groups in the conference.
The Eagles return five players who earned All-Landmark recognition in 2025, including first-team selections Ava Gummer, Maggie Hayes and Molly Mishinkash.
Specialist of the Year Isabella Rushing and Rookie of the Year Elizabeth Cleveland -- both second-team picks -- also return.
SFU tennis players
TRAFFORD -- The Saint Francis University women's tennis program has four players listed as players to watch when the Presidents' Athletic Conference poll was announced on Tuesday.
Saint Francis, coached by Eric Hovan, has senior Reagan Mangen, juniors Sophia Cunningham and Morgan Tuffs, and sophomore Helena Lynn on the list.
Saint Francis is ineligible for the PAC postseason. Defending champ Allegheny College secured the top spot in the coaches' poll.
The Red Wolves open their season on Saturday, Sept. 5, competing at the IUP Invitational.
Pitt players honored
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The ACC announced the first weekly volleyball awards of the 2026 season, and three Pitt players were recognized as Olivia Babcock was named Offensive Player of the Week, Izzy Starck was named Setter of the Week and Ayanna Watson was named Freshman of the Week.
Pitt, ranked No. 4 in the country, opened the season with a 2-0 weekend at the Jeep AVCA First Serve in Milwaukee.
The Panthers opened the season with a four-set victory over No. 3 Kentucky Sunday and then swept Xavier, a team that went 26-5 a year ago, Monday evening.
Pitt hosts No. 15 Kansas this Friday night atthe Petersen Events Center.