Recently, two local athletes have been recognized for their outstanding performances in their respective sports. Morgan Sarver, a sophomore forward for Slippery Rock University and a graduate of Altoona Area High School, was named to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference women’s soccer all-conference team. She earned a spot on the PSAC Western Division Second Team, starting in all 18 of her appearances and finishing third in the PSAC in shots and fourth in shots on goal.
Simultaneously, five members of the Penn State Altoona women’s volleyball program picked up postseason honors from the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. Head coach Jamie McGreal was voted the coach of the year, while freshman outside hitter Lia Simanski, a Bishop Guilfoyle High School graduate, was selected as the newcomer of the year. Penn State Altoona also got four student-athletes on the all-conference list, including junior libero Anna Batrus, an Altoona Area High School grad who was a first-team All-AMCC selection. Senior outside hitter Lacee Barnhart and Simanski were both second-team picks, while junior middle Makenna Port earned third-team recognition. McGreal led the Lady Lions to their third-ever conference championship.
In terms of individual accolades, Simanski ranked among the top 10 in several categories within the AMCC this season. She finished with kills per set (2.77), kills (263), points (293.0), points per set (3.1), and digs (328). Meanwhile, Batrus took over as starting libero and anchored the team’s defense during all 26 matches played this season. She led the AMCC in digs per set (5.55) while being second in total digs (533).
