As the Penn State Altoona women's basketball team begins the 2025-26 season, expectations and hopes are high for the program. Last season, the team went 13-14 overall, including a 9-7 record in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. The Lions placed fourth in the league's regular season standings, qualifying for the conference postseason tournament. In the playoffs, Penn State Altoona made it to the semifinals, losing to eventual runner-up Penn State Behrend.

Other AMCC league coaches also expect Penn State Altoona to have another strong year, as the Lions were voted fourth in the AMCC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Head coach Halee Hutchinson, who enters her fifth regular season and sixth year overall at the helm of the program, believes there is a lot of experience and leadership within the team.

"With six seniors, we have a lot of experience and leadership on this team," she stated.

The Lions' seniors include guard/forward Jaidyn McCracken (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis), guard Allyana Stephens (Johnstown, PA/Bishop McCort), forward Haley Hicks (Wylie, TX/Wylie East), guard/forward Infiniti Lewis (Richmond, VA/J.R. Tucker), and forward Avana Sayles (Venetia, PA/Peters Township). Additionally, guard Jess Burns (South Fayette, PA/South Fayette), currently out due to injury, is another senior who will provide leadership and guidance to the team.

McCracken and Sayles were both named "Players to Watch" in the AMCC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Sayles was named the AMCC's co-Defensive Player of the Year last season and also received first-team all-conference honors. She ranked second in the conference in field goals made (176) and defensive rebounds (167), third in total rebounds (238) and blocks (41), fourth in points (405), offensive rebounds (71), total rebounds per game (8.8), and steals (68), fifth in points per 40 minutes (20.3), and sixth in points per game (15.0). McCracken was a third-team All-AMCC selection last year, when she ranked eighth in the conference in three-pointers made (46) and assists (68), 12th in points (297) and defensive rebounds (122), and 13th in field goals made (113).

Returning starter guard Madison Rusnica (DuBois, PA/DuBois) will look to play a bigger role this season. Rusnica played 27 games last season, making 12 starts. She ranked in the AMCC in several categories, including fourth in three-point percentage (37.5), 12th in three-pointers made (36), 15th in assists (59), and 16th in blocks (12).

Hutchinson is looking for her sophomores, guard Addy Nardolillo (Hinsdale, NH/Hinsdale), forward Skylar McCall (Cleveland Heights, OH/Cleveland Heights), forward Addi Schirato (Salix, PA/Forest Hills), and guard/forward Halle Kuzminski (Warren, PA/Warren), to help push the upperclassmen.

"Our sophomore class in general will need to step up and push the upperclassmen to continue to help our team improve throughout the season," Hutchinson said.

Rounding out the roster are five newcomers. Junior guard/forward Abigail McAlexander (York, PA/Northeastern), who transferred from Penn State York, will look to bring some experience to the team. She finished last season averaging 7.8 points per game, 3.0 assists per game, and 2.8 rebounds per game with 22 steals and 16 blocks.

Freshman point guards Ellie Irvin (Calvin, PA/Southern Huntingdon) and Lanie Wilt (Altoona, PA/Altoona) will be counted on in the offensive side of the game, and fellow freshmen guards Hannah Glunt (Clearfield, PA/Clearfield) and Elizabeth Painter (Connellsville, PA/Connellsville) complete the freshman class.

"We have two point guards in the freshmen class, (Lanie) Wilt and (Ellie) Irvin, who I will rely on to get us into our offense and help control the pace of the game," said Hutchinson.

Penn State Altoona women's basketball will host their home opener tomorrow, Tuesday, November 11, against Gettysburg. Other non-conference opponent dates are matchups against Juniata, Penn College, Alfred University, Lycoming, Penn State Harrisburg, Waynesburg, and Lock Haven.

The Lions' 16-game AMCC schedule begins with a home clash against Pitt-Greensburg on Wednesday, December 3.