Title: Making History: Anna Batrus Named AMCC Woman of the Year, Becomes First Ever From Penn State Altoona
ALTOONA, Pa. — In a groundbreaking achievement that marks a new milestone for Penn State Altoona athletics, senior volleyball standout Anna Batrus has been named the 2025 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Woman of the Year. The announcement, made official this week by the conference office, has sent waves of celebration through the campus community, as Batrus becomes the first student-athlete in the school’s history to earn this prestigious honor.
The AMCC Woman of the Year award recognizes not only athletic excellence but also leadership, academic achievement, and community service. Batrus, a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, checked every box — and then some.
On the Court, A Captain and Competitor
A four-year starter and two-year captain of the Penn State Altoona women’s volleyball team, Batrus finished her career with over 1,200 digs and 900 kills. Known for her relentless defensive hustle and quiet-but-deadly cross-court spike, she led the team to back-to-back AMCC playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024, while earning All-Conference First Team honors both years.
But it wasn’t just her statistics that caught the eye of the selection committee — it was her heart.
“Anna Batrus is the kind of player every coach dreams of,” said head coach Jenna Roush. “She plays with integrity, leads with compassion, and never backs down from a challenge. This award validates everything she’s given to our program.”
In the Classroom, a Scholar and Leader
Off the court, Batrus maintained a 3.98 GPA while majoring in Biology with a concentration in neuroscience. She was a three-time Academic All-AMCC selection and a finalist for the NCAA Elite 90 Award. Her senior thesis on cognitive resilience in female student-athletes drew praise from faculty and will be submitted for publication later this year.
“Anna combines academic rigor with athletic commitment in a way that’s truly rare,” said Dr. Natalie Mendoza, her academic advisor. “She’s a thinker, a leader, and someone who’s always reaching for more.”
In the Community, a Tireless Volunteer
Batrus also made her mark in the Altoona community, logging over 250 hours of service during her college career. She organized a campus-wide mental health awareness initiative, volunteered weekly at the Altoona Food Bank, and served as a peer mentor for incoming student-athletes.
Her AMCC Woman of the Year application included letters from coaches, professors, and even a local elementary school principal, all of whom praised her humility, kindness, and tireless work ethic.
Recognition That Resonates
“This is bigger than volleyball,” said athletic director Greg Walters. “Anna’s recognition shows what’s possible here at Penn State Altoona. She’s not just the AMCC Woman of the Year — she’s our Woman of the Year, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
Batrus will now be nominated by the AMCC as the conference’s representative for the NCAA Woman of the Year award, competing with other top student-athletes from across the nation.
When asked how it felt to make history for her school, Batrus smiled, modest as always.
“I didn’t do this alone,” she said. “It’s been an incredible journey, and I hope this opens doors for future Lions to dream even bigger.”
As the confetti settles and the accolades roll in, one thing is certain: Anna Batrus has left her mark on Penn State Altoona — and the legacy she’s built is only just beginning.