2016 Frontier Preview: Frontier is toughest women's league in NAIA

A year ago, the Frontier Conference sent a record five women's teams to the NAIA national tournament, with three of them advancing to at least the Elite 8. It would seem like the league couldn't get any more difficult than it was in 2015.

But, even with the departure of five-time defending champion Westminster College to the NCAA ranks, the Frontier is arguably just as tough this season, as it was a year ago, and, it might just be the single most competitive and talented conference in all of NAIA Division 1.

"Our league is very, very good again," said Northern head coach Chris Mouat. "There are so many talented teams, so many teams with really good players. It's just so tough to win games in this league."

It will indeed be tough for everyone in the conference to win games over the next two months, no matter how talented they are. Currently, the Frontier has three teams ranked inside the NAIA Top 25, two in the Top 5 and five teams in the NAIA Coaches Poll as a hole.

And, while a new Frontier champion will be crowned in March, with Westminster out of the way, that champion won't have it easy, as the Frontier, with it's new and demanding schedule, might just be even more difficult than it was a year ago.

Here's a breakdown of each Frontier school by their predicted order of finish in the Frontier Preseason Coaches Poll.

Montana State-Northern

Skylights

2015-16 Record: 12-1, 1-1

2014-15 Season: 29-6, 11-3, 2nd in Frontier, lost in NAIA Elite 8.

Head Coach: Chris Mouat (11th Season)

Outlook: Despite losing 2015 Frontier Player of the Year and First-Team All-American A'Jha Edwards, as well as veteran point guard Taylor Cummings to graduation, it's easy to see why the league's coaches picked the Skylights to capture the 2016 Frontier championship. MSU-N is coming off one of its best years in school history, and Chris Mouat's team still packs a potent punch with star junior Natalee Faupel, sophomore shooter Jacy Thompson and the return of senior Rachelle Bennett. Northern also still plays its trademark defense, which is always one of the best in the NAIA, and, the Skylights have talent stepping up, like junior point guard Molly Kreycik, and new power forward Sierra Richards. So, if the Skylights can get healthy, and continue to find ways to win huge road games, there's no doubt, they are the team to beat in the loaded Frontier this season.

University of Great Falls

Argos

2015-16 Record: 10-4, 1-1

2014-15 Season: 24-10 overall, 8-6, 4th in Frontier, lost in NAIA Elite 8.

Head Coach: Bill Himmelberg (6th Season)

Outlook: Once the doormat of the Frontier, the Argos are now a true powerhouse. And last spring saw UGF really come of age, as the Argos not only made the national tournament for the first time in 30 years, but they won two games while there. And, there's no reason to think UGF can't do it again, and more. Led by All-American Erin Legel (5-5), the school's all-time leading scorer, as well as super-talents like Nneka Nnadi (5-10), Stephanie McDonagh (5-9) and newcomers Whitney George (6-4) and Morgan Greir (5-8), the Argos are one of the most potent offensive teams in the NAIA, and are a true threat to compete for the Frontier championship this season.

Lewis-Clark State

Warriors

2015-16 Record: 11-3, 2-1

2014-15 Season: 21-11, 7-7, 5th in Frontier, lost in NAIA first round.

Head Coach: Brian Orr (14th Season)

Outlook: Always a Frontier and NAIA powerhouse, there's little doubt the Warriors will be again this season. Veteran head coach Brian Orr's team is a high-scoring squad (80 ppg), and, as always, the Warriors' pressure defense, which is allowing just 50 points per night, is really tough to contend with. And while LCSC has a new cast of characters surrounding superstar Caelyn Orlandi (5-9), it should be business as usual again. Orlandi is the catalyst, but talented athletes like Kaylea Knox (5-4), Brittany Tackett (6-1), Megan Risinger (5-11) and Hailey Turner (6-1) are stepping up to help with the loss of superstar guard Tanis Fuller. And once again, LCSC is the tallest team in the league, with five players who stand 5-11 or taller, so, the rest of the Frontier will yet again have their hands full with the Warriors.

Carroll College

Fighting Saints

2015-16 Record: 12-1, 2-1

2014-15 Season: 18-11 overall, 9-5, 3rd in Frontier, lost in NAIA first round.

Head Coach: Rachelle Sayers (3rd Season)

Outlook: If it looks like the league coaches got anything wrong when they picked the Preseason Poll, it might be the Fighting Saints' position. Because, Carroll looks way too good to finish in fourth place. A national tournament team a year ago, Carroll is poised for huge things this season, even with the loss of star guards Kaylee Junkermeier and Bailey Snelling. Center Cassidy Hashley (6-2) is the focal point for the Saints on both ends of the floor, while Katie Estey (5-6) provides the leadership at point guard. But, Carroll's bread and butter is its defense and its depth. The Saints are allowing just 53 points per game so far, while the likes of Jordan Johnston (5-10), Baylee Watson (6-2), Hannah Dean (6-1), Mikaela Dowdy (6-1) and Brittney Johnson (5-7) are just part of a tall, athletic and powerful Carroll roster, and that's why the Saints are certainly a Frontier front-runner this season.

Rocky Mountain College

Battlin' Bears

2015-16 Record: 10-4, 2-0

2014-15 Season: 10-15 overall, 3-11, T6th in Frontier

Head Coach: Wes Keller (2nd Season)

Outlook: Like Carroll, it's highly unlikely that Rocky Mountain College finishes in the second half of the Frontier standings at season's end. No, RMC is just too talented and too explosive not to be a contender this winter. After struggling a year ago, head coach Wes Keller's team is loaded with returning stars and talented newcomers, led by Whitney Mitchell (5-7) and Tenika Capouch (5-11), who are a great inside-out duo, and who are combining to score 30 points per outing this season. Add to that the talents of sensational 3-point shooter Destiney Amezquita (5-5), and the inside presence of Hailee Farvstreet (5-11) and Bridger Rice (6-0), as well as the leadership of Jayde Lefevre (5-7) and the Bears have one of the most talented lineups in the league, and, with how explosive they are on the offensive end, there's no way Rocky won't be a factor in the league, and possibly the NAIA tournament come spring.

UM-Western

Bulldogs

2015-16 Record: 0-3, 10-5

2014-15 Season: 10-20 overall, 2-12, 8th in Frontier

Head Coach: Lindsey Woolley (4th Season)

Outlook: Western may be looking up at some true Frontier powers, but the Bulldogs aren't a pushover this season. Thanks to the addition of University of Montana Lady Griz transfer Molly Klinker (6-1), and the return of Sierra Higheagle (5-10), Western has plenty of firepower, including Anise Palmore (5-9) and freshman Frankie Bignell (5-9). So, the Bulldogs figure to be an exciting offensive team this season, and, if they can become a better defensive squad, as well as defend their home court, they certainly could be considered the Frontier dark horse this winter.

Montana Tech

Orediggers

2015-16 Record: 1-2, 5-9

2014-15 Season: 12-19 overall, 3-11, T6th in Frontier

Head Coach: Carly VanDyke-Sanon (2nd Season)

Outlook: Despite being loaded with talent on offense, including four-time All-Conference performer Mandy Machinal, last season was a disappointing one for the Orediggers. And, Tech has struggled out of the gates so far this season as head coach Carly VanDyke-Sanon has a very young team. Tech will lean on the likes of veterans Martha Dembek (5-9) and Hattie Thatcher (5-5), while up-and-comers like Sammy McGree (5-7) and Montana State transfer Shayla Mack (5-6) join 6-2 center Rachel Ferris in helping Tech try and climb out of the Frontier cellar.