The Penn State Altoona men's tennis team prepares to compete in the bulk of its 2025-26 schedule, as the Lions will play their main season of competition this spring semester.  

Penn State Altoona had a solid year last season, going 11-6 overall, including 5-1 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. The Lions reached the championship match of the AMCC Tournament, where they lost to Penn State Behrend 4-1, and the team hopes to find themselves playing for a conference title again this spring. 

"Prior to our first spring practice, all the players were asked to share their individualized and team goals. Every player had the same goal: win the AMCC tournament. That is our main goal, and we are determined to achieve it this year," said eighth-year Penn State Altoona head coach Megan Stern. 

Penn State Altoona's nine-player roster is highlighted by six returning players: seniors Nick Beard (Manns Choice, PA/Bedford) and Emmett Hibbs (Richfield, PA/East Juniata), juniors Wilhelm Grot (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone) and Jackson Newell (Leechburg, PA/Kiski Area), and sophomores Jude Irwin (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg) and Gabriel Lopez (Wilmette, IL/New Trier Township).  

Of those returners, Beard, Grot, and Newell were all voted to the AMCC all-conference team at various singles and doubles positions. Voted to the first All-AMCC squad in singles were Beard (13-3 at No. 3) and Grot (8-4 at No. 6). Beard and Newell (4-0 at No. 3) were voted to the first team for doubles. 

Stern has a lot of confidence in the upperclassmen to be leaders in the team.  

"Since his freshman year, Nick has worked extremely hard to improve his game. I'm excited to see him have a successful senior season to finish off his tennis collegiate career. Gabe Lopez, Jackson Newell, Emmett Hibbs and Will Grot are all returning to the team and have been working hard at practice. They have all been playing well and are all extremely competitive with each other when playing. Gabe Lopez is looking to make a big impact in singles this year for the team. Emmett Hibbs is looking to finish out a great collegiate tennis career by being a reliable singles player in the bottom half of the lineup." 

In addition to the returners, the Lions welcome three first-year players to their team: freshmen Ivan Bene (York, PA/Lancaster Country Day), Kody Cessna (Apollo, PA/Kiski Area), and Stephen Sanders (Johnstown, PA/Bishop McCort).  

"We have some new players on the team this year. Ivan Bene will be our number 2 singles player and also a very strong doubles player. He is quick, consistent, and has great hands at the net. He will be a great asset for our team and will likely be one of the best newcomers in the conference this year. Kody Cessna is also new and adds depth to our singles lineup and will also be a strong doubles player. He has great movement and solid volleys, which I'm excited to see in match play." 

Penn State Altoona enters its spring semester with four matches already under its belt. The Lions went 2-2 in September, including victories over non-conference opponents Penn College and Geneva.  

Penn State Altoona launches its spring 2026 schedule on Friday, February 27, in a home match against Juniata College.