Skylights face more road tests

September is here, and that means the start of the 2019 Frontier Conference volleyball season is inching closer. But, before the Montana State University-Northern Skylights get to their first conference match - a road game at Lewis-Clark State Sept. 19, they have some more business to take care of.

Northern (5-5) will travel south to Great Falls this weekend for three matches at the University of Providence Tournament. The Skylights play an exhibition match against NJCAA North Idaho, followed by tournament matches against Medicine Hat College and Benedictine.

MSU-N is coming off a strong showing at last weekend's Arizona Christian Tournament in Phoenix, and Jerry Wagner's club hopes to build on that success this weekend.

In Arizona, the Skylights split their four tournament matches, and, got strong play from outside hitters Rylee Burmester and Elissa Lind, as well as veteran setters Shania Neubauer and Hailey Warren. Transfer middle hitter Tammy Maddock also made her Skylight debut in Arizona, and was solid at the net, while freshman libero Katie Murdock continued to impress.

Northern wants to keep the ball rolling this weekend, too. The Skylights beat Medicine Hat in four sets back on Aug. 15 in Havre, while Benedictine will be a new opponent. The Eagles only opened their season at a tournament in California and bring a 2-2 record with them to Great Falls.

The three matches in Great Falls this weekend will also help the Skylights get ready for their big non-conference road match at arch rival Dickinson State next week. That match will be the final non-conference match of the season for Northern, which has already won four more matches than it did all of last season.

The Skylights will play North Idaho this afternoon, then play Medicine Hat Saturday at 11 a.m. and Benedictine Saturday at 5 p.m. All of the action will take place in the McLaughlin Center in Great Falls.