ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend women's volleyball team, the 2021 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Champions, is expected to repeat as conference champions according to the AMCC Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced on Thursday.

The Lions earned the top spot in the preseason rankings after winning the AMCC regular-season championship with an undefeated 8-0 record and claiming their second consecutive conference title. The Alfred State Pioneers were selected to finish second, while Penn State Altoona was picked third.

Behrend returns two All-Conference players this season. Senior outside hitter Brooke Joncas (Corry, PA/Corry) and senior middle hitter Sarah Cole (Stoneboro, PA/Lakeview). Cole, a second-team choice, led the AMC in blocks and blocks per set, while ranking fourth in attack percentage. Joncas was named to the All-AMCC third team for finishing fifth in total kills and sixth in aces in the conference.

The Lions open their season at Hiram on Thursday, September 1 at 7 p.m.

       AMCC Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll

1. Penn State Behrend
2. Alfred State
3. Penn State Altoona
4. Pitt-Bradford
5. La Roche
   Mt. Aloysius
6. Pitt-Greensburg
7. Hilbert