Skylights seeking a win at UM-Western

The schedule has been an unusual one so far for the Montana State University-Northern volleyball team. First, the Skylights were on the road for four straight weeks. Then, they got to play their first four Frontier Conference matches at home.

Now, the schedule takes another strange quirk as the Skylights play just one match this weekend, and when that match is over, they won't play again until Oct. 15.

And tonight's road match, the first of conference play for Northern (0-4, 8-12) is big, as the Skylights travel to Dillon to battle with the UM-Western Bulldogs (0-3, 4-10).

Both the Skylights and Bulldogs are in pursuit of their first win in conference play this season, so expect an intense battle. Northern comes in having lost its first four matches in conference play, despite the fact that in most of those matches, MSU-N has played very well and looked very sharp. So, they're hoping that sharp play will translate into a victory tonight against the struggling Bulldogs.

However, nothing is easy in the Frontier, and tonight won't be any different. Despite winning just four matches all season, Western is talented and tough. Offensively, Bailey Wilson (5-11) is a quality performer, while libero Brianna DeCock (5-6) anchors a strong back row. Add in the improved middles like Cady Siemon (5-10), Brittany Erickson (5-11) and Tessa Miller (6-0), and Western has a strong, athletic lineup for Northern to contend with tonight.

But the Skylights are plenty talented, too, and they are very hungry to get in the win column. Northern has been oh so close many times so far in conference play, and a big reason why is, the Skylights have been very good offensively.

The Skylights have over 800 kills this season, while they're second in the Frontier in service aces with 107. Sophomore Cassie Krueger leads the way with 233 kills and a .236 hitting percentage. Korrie Stephenson has 161 kills and 42 blocks on the year, while Jessica Wilcox has 151 kills and 180 digs and Erin Jensen has tallied 136 kills and a team-high 52 blocks. Krueger, Stephenson and Wilcox each have over 20 aces as well, while setter Emily Russell has tallied 669 assists so far this season.

But, while Northern has been solid against the upper echelon of the Frontier the last two weeks, the Skylights also need to find a way to finish teams off. Chances to extend matches have slipped through the Skylights' fingers time and time again so far this fall, and that's something head coach Bill Huebsch says his team needs to fix in a hurry.

"We have mental block right now we need to get over," Huebsch said recently. "We have proven that we can play with anyone in this conference, they just need to get the will to win and not be denied when they get close. They are a great group of girls, they just need to figure this out and hopefully sooner, rather than later."

Tonight's match between the Skylights and Bulldogs will start at 7 in Dillon. Northern will have a bye week next weekend, then return to the road for matches at Great Falls Oct. 15 and Rocky Mountain College Oct. 17. The Skylights' next home match is Oct. 24 when they have a rematch against UM-Western. That match is MSU-N's only home match the entire month of October.