Streaking Skylights get a first look at the league in the Frontier Preseason Tournament in Helena

After a thrilling weekend in the Armory Gymnasium, the Montana State University-Northern volleyball team will get a good look at what Frontier Conference play is going to be like this season.

Northern, which was a perfect 4-0 at the Frontier-North Star Preseason Challenge last weekend in Havre, will now head to Helena for the Frontier Preseason Tournament. There, the Skylights will play four Frontier Conference rivals in non-conference matches, just one week ahead of the start of league play.

And Northern couldn't be headed in a more perfect direction.

The Skylights are 8-1 after beating Mayville State, Presentation, Valley City and Dickinson State at home last weekend.

"We outworked every team we played and that's the way we've been winning," Northern head coach Jerry Wagner said. "We've been winning with heart, determination, attitude and effort."

Indeed. The Skylights, who are relatively young, are battling, and that should set them up for a great Frontier season.

Of course, the Frontier is never easy, and that's why the Frontier Preseason Tournament will be good for Northern, as the Skylights will get a look at all the teams in the league ahead of conference play.

And the preview starts Friday as Northern plays Montana Tech, which is 9-5 and ranked 20th in the NAIA, as well as host Carroll College. The Fighting Saints are 6-6 on the season, and are still in the NAIA Coaches Poll.

The tournament continues Saturday as MSU-N faces Montana Western and Providence. The Bulldogs are much-improved this fall, and are sitting at 5-7 overall, while the Argos ar picked to win the Frontier again this year. UP is currently 5-9 this season, after going 3-1 in Havre last week.

Northern kicks off the Frontier Preseason Tournament Friday at 9 a.m. against Montana Tech. They also play Carroll Friday at 5 p.m. The Skylights face Western Saturday at 9 a.m. and the Argos Saturday at 1 p.m. MSU-N begins Frontier Conference play next Friday at Rocky Mountain College.