Skylights set to brighten 2012

Montana State University-Northern senior Hillary Isleifson is one of a core group of veteran players hoping to help the Skylights keep moving up in the Frontier Conference. MSU-N kicks off its season Friday and Saturday in Great Falls.

When former Havre High head volleyball coach Bill Huebsch took over the Montana State University-Northern program four short years ago, the Skylights were in a tough spot.

They'd had three head coaches in four years and were coming off one of the most difficult seasons in the program's storied history.

But as the Skylights embark on the 2012 campaign, things are certainly different now.

Northern begins the regular season Friday in Great Falls, and not only are the Skylights coming off one of their better seasons in the last decade, but they return a host of veteran players, and entering Friday's UGF-Carroll Tournament, confidence surrounding the program is very high.

"I think our kids are very confident," Huebsch said. "We made a lot of big strides last season and we're very proud of what we accomplished. That being said, we have to go out and play well and keep the progress we've made going. But our kids feel very good about the team we have and what we can achieve this season."

The Skylights went 14-13 overall a year ago and 5-9 in a Frontier Conference which saw three teams reach the Regional round of the NAIA national tournament. Northern was excellent at home last season, and in all, the Skylights are riding high because they return the bulk of their starting lineup from a year ago.

Leading the way is senior Hillary Isleifson (OH), a first-team all-conference selection a year ago. Isleifson was among the Frontier leaders in kills, hitting percentage and assists last season, and, with her versatility, she will likely be a major force for the Skylights in 2012.

Also back in the front row are junior Kelsey Williams (OH) and senior Victoria Polo (MH). Both players were key in Northern's improved blocking last season, and Huebsch said that they will both be big again this year. In the back row, the Skylights return junior libero Holly Cartwright. The former Havre Blue Pony is already a two-year starter and was among the league leaders in total digs in 2011.

"That core group that is coming back, they really give us a veteran presence," Huebsch said. "But individually, they have all made big strides from the beginning of last season until now. Hillary is a fantastic player who had a great year last year and expects to have a huge year this season. Kelsey is finally healthy, where at times, she had injury problems last season, and she's in phenomenal shape and hitting the ball really well. Vici (Polo) has come in and great shape and is making a lot of progress, while Holly has just become a much more consistent player. So we feel really good about that group."

Huebsch also feels good about the additions to his lineup this season.

Northern needed a setter and Huebsch found a good one in 5-9 junior Joni Nagy. She's a transfer from Spokane Falls Community College and she'll not only be a top-notch setter for the Skylights, but she can also hold her own in the front row with her excellent athletic ability.

Also bolstering the Northern lineup is right side hitter Abby Nicholas, a 6-0 transfer from Laramie Community College. Nicholas is what Huebsch calls a thumper because she can truly kill the ball with authority. And in the middle, the Skylights added 6-0 middle hitter Haley Russell, a junior transfer from Orange Coast C.C. in California.

"Those transfers we've brought in, along with the group we have back, really make us a veteran team," Huebsch said. "It's funny to see how quickly we went from being a young and inexperienced team, to a very veteran group.

"So we're really excited about the talent we have on the team, and this group has been phenomenal in practice so far," he added. "They are showing great chemistry and we have strong leadership, and those things are huge."

Also factoring into playing time for the Skylights this season will be senior defensive specialist Karyssa Bowron, sophomore outside hitter Lynnsie Togiai, sophomore outside hitter Dayna Jensen and possibly freshman setter Janelle Hoff. Sophomore setter Shayla Bly could also see action early in the season.

And with so much depth and talent, the Skylights will look to be a versatile team this season.

"I think with the talent and experience we have, we can really throw some different looks at teams this season," Huebsch said. "There's a number of different things we can do as far as rotations and things, and that's nice to have that versatility."

And Northern will be tested right away.

Over the course of the first three weeks of the season, the Skylights will play 13 matches at three different tournaments. In that stretch, MSU-N will play eight teams who finished 2011 ranked in the NAIA Top 25. It's a rigorous schedule, much like the one Northern played a year ago, but Huebsch said he likes the challenges and he knows his team will be well prepared when Carroll College comes to Havre on Sept. 8 to open the Frontier Conference season.

"I think we play an even tougher preseason schedule than the one we faced last year," Huebsch said. "And that's a good thing to me. I like it. I think this first three weeks will really challenge us, we'll learn to play on the road, we'll learn a lot about each other, we'll continue to bond and grow as a team, and because we'll see so many different styles of play, we'll be well-prepared for everything we're going to see in our very tough conference season. So I'm really excited about our schedule."

And in the end, the excitement is just high overall as the Skylights begin their march towards another big season. They have a talented group of players, they are coming off a great 2011 season where they really made a lot of progress, and soon, they'll be playing in a newly-renovated Armory Gymnasium.

So things are certainly bright for Northern volleyball right now.

"Again, this is a very confident group," Huebsch said. "And while you never really know what you have until you get on the court and play for real, based on what we've done in practice and how great this team's chemistry is right now, we feel really good going into this season."

The Skylights open their season Friday and Saturday at the UGF-Carroll tournament in Great Falls.

Five Things You Need to Know about MSU-N Volleyball

1. In each of Huebsch's first three seasons at Northern, the Skylights' winning percentage has trended upwards. And with so much talent, as well as key pieces back from last year's team, the Skylights could be in for their best season yet during his tenure.

2. Isleifson and Williams were both inside the top 12 in total kills a year ago. With even more weapons for opposing teams to worry about in Northern's rotation this season, expect both player's total kills to steadily rise in 2012.

3. The Armory Gymnasium won't quite be finished being renovated when the Skylight host Carroll on Sept. 8, but fans will be able to sit in either the new bleachers that have been installed, or in lawn chairs around the court as a beach party theme is planned for MSU-N's home opener.

4. In two seasons at MSU-N, former Blue Pony great Holly Cartwright has 553 total digs. Last season, Cartwright neared the 400-dig plateau and could get well beyond that this season. Lacey Witright holds the single-season record with 633 in 1994.

5. The Skylights were picked to finish sixth in the Frontier Conference by the league's coaches. Northern was picked behind the five teams they finished behind a year ago, but don't be surprised of at least one or two of those squads are below the Skylights in the final regular season standings come November.