The Penn State Altoona men's volleyball team enters 2025 with high hopes for success within the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference this season.

Last season, the Lions went 15-12 overall, including a 5-4 mark in the AMCC that placed the team fourth in the conference's regular season standings. Heading into this year's schedule, Penn State Altoona tied for second in the AMCC Preseason Coaches' Poll, as league coaches predicted the Lions to be one of the top teams in the conference.

Head coach Bob Kasun, who is entering his third season at the helm of the program, is looking forward to his team showcasing its talents and building momentum early in the season to be ready for the stretch run of AMCC matches.

"Our practices this fall were very competitive. Our team displayed depth and talent," said Kasun. "We have a very challenging non-conference schedule, so we should be battle-tested for conference play."

In addition to a strong slate of non-conference competition, Penn State Altoona will also navigate a very different AMCC field in 2025. Gone from the conference are Geneva, Hiram, Saint Vincent, Thiel, and Wells Colleges, with newcomers Buffalo State and Houghton Universities joining the league.

"We are excited to welcome Buffalo State and Houghton to our conference," Kasun said. "We know Buffalo State is going to be challenging for the conference championship immediately. We played Houghton last year, and they were very competitive for a new program."

While the makeup of the men's volleyball conference has changed over the last year, so has the Lions' roster. Gone are several key starters from last season's squad, and this year's edition of the Penn State Altoona men's volleyball team will include 14 first-year student-athletes on its 19-player roster.

"There is no doubt that we lost three very talented seniors to graduation in Jared Kish, Connor Ebersole, and Avery Farabaugh. They were all-conference players, but beyond their playing abilities, they brought leadership and experience to our team," Kasun explained. "We are also replacing a pair of two-year starters in Xavier Vang and Willem Del Priore. But we have built up depth in our program, and we have players ready to assume leadership roles and step in and pick up where those players left off."

The Lions' group of five returning players, all of whom are sophomores, is comprised of libero Joshua Diefenderfer (Malvern, PA/Great Valley), middle blocker Landen Fisher (Altoona, PA/Altoona), setter Mason Grover (Penfield, NY/Penfield), outside hitter Owen Pratt (Pennsburg, PA/Upper Perkiomen), and middle hitter/opposite hitter Jacob Sandowski (Orland Park, IL/Carl Sandburg). Grover and Pratt were both highlighted as "Players to Watch" in the AMCC preseason poll, as Grover led the conference in assists per set (9.18) and Pratt was 40th in kills per set (1.26) last season.

"Our returning players are ready to contribute to this year's team. Mason did a great job of running our offense from the setting position, and Owen really emerged as an offensive threat at outside hitter," Kasun stated. "Other players like Landen and Jacob are ready for their opportunity to shine. We will miss the on-court presence of Josh, who is out for the season with an injury. But he always finds a way to make a positive impact on our team."

Among the Lions' 14 newcomers, Kasun highlights freshmen Caleb Fries (Altoona, PA/Altoona), Michael Hansen (Palatine, IL/William Fremd), Lucas Petrones (Oxford, PA/Avon Grove Charter), Jack McKenna (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional), Adam Chan (Framingham, MA/Framingham), and Fletcher Fisher (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin) as being players who are in line to make significant impacts for the team this season.

"We have a number of new players to our team who will have an immediate impact. In my opinion, opposite hitter Caleb Fries from Altoona Area High School was one of the best players in the state of Pennsylvania last year," said Kasun. "Michael Hansen is an imposing and talented player at middle hitter. Lucas Petrones can attack from anywhere on the court, and first-year players like Jack McKenna, Adam Chan, and Fletcher Fisher are challenging for starting positions."

As the start of the season nears, Kasun is already pleased with how his team is coming together, helped by assistant coaches Jordan Geist and Micah Brinker.

"Jordan Geist has played such a key role in player development at practice. He has experienced playing volleyball at such a high level, and he brings that experience to the team," Kasun stated. "We are excited to add former Penn State Altoona volleyball player Micah Brinker to our coaching staff. He will be crucial in our team's defensive development. The team appreciates what Jordan and Micah bring to our program."

Penn State Altoona men's volleyball gets its 2025 season underway at home on Friday, January 17, with a 6 p.m. match against non-conference opponent Roanoke College. The Lions will go on to play a total of 27 matches this season, including 13 at home and six against AMCC opponents.