Skylights take on the Frontier

The Montana State University-Northern volleyball team is off to its best start in five years.

But things will change drastically for the Skylights tonight.

Northern completed its nonconference schedule with an outstanding 7-3 record, matching its win total from all of last season in the process.

But tonight in Butte, the Skylights start Frontier Conference play against Montana Tech, and despite how well they've done in the preseason, MSU-N head coach Bill Huebsch knows the Skylights are headed for new challenges.

"We've played well so far, we've seen improvement from week to week," Huebsch said. "But conference play is like starting over. Now, we hope that what we've done in the preseason has prepared us for what we'll face in the conference season. I think we are, I think we've faced some really good teams like the ones we'll see in conference. So now, it's about going out an executing."

The Skylights have showed a veteran team which has made improvements by leaps and bounds this season. Senior middle hitter Kaylee Bossert is leading the Frontier in two offensive categories and right-side hitter Brittany Baker is a hitting and serving force. UM-Western transfer Elise Davis is giving Northern a strong presence in the middle, while senior setter Jordan Merrill leads the Frontier in assists.

Northern is also getting good balance. Veterans like Tasha Dyrland, Paige Richardson and Jenna Frankino are playing at a high level, while newcomers like Havre's Holly Cartwright have quickly adjusted to NAIA level volleyball.

"I think we're playing well all the way around," Huebsch said. "I like the consistency of this team. We will still have lapses in matches, but they are happening way less frequently than they did a year ago. Our play is just so much more consistent, and with the chemistry on this team, we're finding success on the floor."

But Northern is just content to having gotten the season off to a good start. The Skylights have their sights set on improving on last year's seventh-place finish in league play. And that journey starts tonight in Butte.

The Orediggers are off to an 8-5 start this season, and with the return of 6-2 middle blocker Cassie Hodges, who missed all of last year with an injury, Tech is right back to being a Frontier contender. The Orediggers also boast a great hitter in former Big Sandy star Shersteen Cline.

But as big and offensive as Tech is, Huebsch says the key is staying consistent in the passing game.

"They (Orediggers) will be atypical Tech team," Huebsch said. "They are scrappy, they play great defense and they get a lot of balls up. So the key is ball control. Our passing and our serve-receive has to be very good against them. You can't beat Montana Tech if you get out of system, so we have to stay in system, stay in points and terminate the ball when the opportunities come."

After visiting the Orediggers tonight, the Skylights will wrap up their road trip with a match at UM-Western on Friday night in Dillon.

The Bulldogs, who went winless in league play a year ago, are struggling yet again this season. They have one just once in nine preseason matches heading into their showdown with UGF tonight in Dillon.

Northern swept Western a year ago, and though the Bulldogs are having their problems getting in the win column again this season, Huebsch said his team won't take them lightly.

"In this league, you can't overlook anyone," Huebsch said. "Every road match in the Frontier is a tough match. We've been able to scout Western a little this year, and though their record doesn't show it, I think they are headed in the right direction. They are a young team with a lot of new faces, but they have good players, and we know we'll have to play well to come away with a win down there."

Tonight's match between the Skylights and Orediggers starts at 7 in Butte. Friday night's league match between MSU-N and Western also gets underway at 7 p.m. in Dillon.