Frontier Volleyball Preview: Frontier deeper than it's ever been

Every season, the Frontier Conference is loaded with good volleyball teams. Every season, the Frontier is one of the most competitive leagues in the NAIA, from top to bottom.

But as the 2014 Frontier season gets underway this weekend, the league is even better. That's because defending Frontier champion Rocky Mountain College starts league play off as the No. 1-ranked team in NAIA volleyball. The Battlin' Bears ascended to that spot in the first NAIA Coaches Poll of the regular season, which was released earlier this week.

And having the top team in the country in the Frontier is a good thing, it's good for everybody. But it also means the Bears are really good, and the task of dethroning them come November will be very difficult.

Yet, the chase to catch Rocky is on, and there's plenty of teams that think they can do it. Lewis-Clark State, Carroll College and MSU-Northern are at the top of that list, but, if the preseason has shown anything, it's that the Frontier is as deep as it's ever been. And that means teams like Montana Tech and Great Falls are also good, and they, too, have a chance to be a part of the Frontier puzzle.

Of course, the regular season, which will have a different look now that Dickinson State has left the league, is just a prelude to mid-November. All fall, teams will jockey for position and try to go after the Frontier regular season title, an accomplishment the Skylights achieved last season when they went a sparkling 15-1 in conference play. But the real payoff comes at the Frontier Conference Tournament, which will be held in Butte Nov. 13-15. On the line there will be the league's automatic berth to the NAIA national tournament, and of course, the Frontier championship.

Yes, Frontier volleyball is always good, and it's always exciting. But given the talent, the teams, the head coaches and the level of play night in and night out, the 2014 Frontier season might just be one for the history books.

Here's a look at each Frontier volleyball team, in its predicted order of finish for 2014

Rocky Mountain College

Battlin' Bears

2014 Record: 11-2

2013: 25-5, 13-3 in the Frontier (2nd, Frontier Tourney Champion)

Head Coach: Laurie Kelly (8th season)

2014 Outlook: The Bears have been a Frontier stalwart for a long time. But they have now risen to a national power. Following their trip to the NAIA national tournament a season ago, in 2014, Rocky has already knocked off defending national champion Brownsville and No. 2 Concordia-Irvine. The Bears are picked as a heavy favorite to repeat as Frontier champions, and senior middle Yang Yang (6-0) is a big reason. Yang was an All-American a year ago, and is way out in front in most offensive categories this season. Fellow middle blocker Anna Dewald (6-3) and outside hitter Ahlea Billis (6-2) give the Bears one of the most powerful front lines, not just in the conference, but in all of NAIA. And if Rocky's back row is as good as its front this season, the Bears will be extremely hard to dethrone. Former Havre Blue Pony Sarah Armstrong is also on RMC's roster this season.

Lewis-Clark State

Warriors

2014 Record: 5-5

2013: 19-13, 11-4 in the Frontier (3rd)

Head Coach:LaToya Harris (4th Season)

2014 Outlook: The Warriors have been stymied the last couple of seasons by upstarts like RMC and MSU-Northern. At one point, LCSC dominated the Frontier, so much so that going to the NAIA national tournament was a given. Now the Warriors are trying to climb their way back to that position, and they have the depth and firepower to do it. Treneisha Doyle (5-9) is a powerful hitter, while Chelsea Strong (6-0) is a dominant middle. Senior Desiree Nielson (6-2) adds to LCSC's big front line, while setters Ali Hubert and Robyn Schirmer are strong all-around players. Picked to finish second in the Frontier, LCSC has a chance to stay with Rocky if the Warriors can win road matches, which is something they haven't done much of the last two seasons.

Carroll College

Fighting Saints

2014 Record: 7-6

2013: 17-18, 9-7 in Frontier (5th)

Head Coach: Moe Boyle (10th Season)

2014 Outlook: Carroll has been a popular preseason pick in the Frontier for years, but in the last three, the Saints haven't been able to live up to their billing. They hope that changes this season. Carroll played a tough preseason schedule to get ready for conference play, and like RMC and LC State, the Saints have built a big presence at the net. Kathleen Mulligan (6-2) is one of the best players in the Frontier, while Rebecca Sweeney (5-10) and Calli Prestwood (6-2) are veterans of Frontier play. So is right-side hitter Sarah Roshak, while freshman Marija Nicksic (6-4) adds to what should be a powerful Carroll attack and block this season. If the Saints serve tough and play strong defense behind their big block, they should be ready to contend for the Frontier title this season.

MSU-Northern

Skylights

2014 Record: 4-9

2013: 25-9, 15-1 in Frontier (1st, Frontier tourney runner-up)

Head Coach: Bill Huebsch (6th Season)

2014 Outlook: The last two seasons have been magical for the Skylights, with 2013 being one of the absolute best in the program's history. But Northern graduated five seniors, including Frontier Conference Player of the Year Abby Nicholas, Kelsey Williams who was second to Nicholas in total kills a year ago, two-year starting setter Joni Nagy and four-year starting libero Holly Cartwright. And with a young team back this season, Huebsch went out and played arguably the most difficult nonconference schedule of any NAIA team in 2014. The schedule didn't result in many wins as Northern faced eight nationally ranked clubs in three weeks. But the hope is the schedule prepared MSU-N for a strong run in conference play. Sisters Dayna and Erin Jensen are key veterans for MSU-N, as is sophomore libero Sydney Stolearcius. But for Northern to stay in the upper echelon of the conference this fall, the development of the likes of Jessica Wilcox, Jaden Lynch, Cydney Auzenne and Taylor Woolman will be critical. MSU-N also needs to continue its tremendous winning at home to stay in the mix. Over the last two seasons, the Skylights have lost just once to a Frontier opponent at the Armory Gymnasium.

Montana Tech

Orediggers

2014 Record: 5-7

2013: 17-13, 7-9 In Frontier (6th)

Head Coach: Brian Solomon (3rd Season)

2014 Outlook: If you're looking for a team that could make a big leap in the Frontier this season, look no further than Montana Tech. The Orediggers, always one of the best defensive teams and toughest squads to put away, are getting offensive this season. Tech has a wealth of experienced talent on offense, including 5-11 outside hitter Annie Smoot, senior middle blocker Korey Krumm (5-9), junior hitter Sydney Norris (5-10) and sophomore middle blocker Haley Druyvestein (6-1). Add in one of the best defensive specialists in the country in Kimmy Kavran and experience at setter in Alison Lunde, and the Orediggers have all the pieces in place to be a Frontier power this fall.

Westminster College

Griffins

2014 Record: 6-7

2013: 16-14, 10-6 in Frontier (4th)

Head Coach: Al Givens (1st Season)

2014 Outlook: Westminster has had loads of potential in recent years, but the Griffins just can't seem to put it all together. Now they start conference play with a new head coach in Al Givens, and not a lot of returning experience. However, the Griffins can lean heavily on 6-0 middle hitter Alexis Aalona, who is one of the most powerful players in the conference. Freshman middle blocker Amara Culpepper is also an exciting player. But overall, the Griffins are extremely young, touting 11 freshman, including two at the setter position. And in a loaded Frontier, that youth will have to grow up in a hurry if the Griffins are going to make any noise this season.

Great Falls

Argos

2014 Record: 8-5

2013: 9-22, 4-12 in Frontier (7th)

Head Coach: Arunas Duda (10th Season)

2014 Outlook: Once one of the best program's in the Frontier, UGF has fallen on hard times recently. And after just four wins in conference play in 2013, expectations this fall were not very high. But the Argos might just be ready to jump back into the Frontier title picture. Several big wins in the preseason has jump-started head coach Arunas Duda's program again, and a deep, talented roster is ready to go in conference play. Of course, everything starts at the net with the return of 6-1 senior Alyssa McEwan, who is a sure-fire offensive force. Sophomore Madison Wilhelm (6-2) is also off to a strong start in the middle, while transfer Gabby Nienkowski (5-10) is a machine on the outside. Freshman Alicia Norling has also stepped in and assumed the setting duties, and UGF is playing at an extremely high level. A young team, but one loaded with talent at every position, 2014 might be the season the Argos turn things around and are once again a force to be reckoned with in the Frontier.

UM-Western

Bulldogs

2014 Record: 4-4

2013: 11-23, 3-14 in Frontier (7th)

Head Coach: Lisa Griffiths (4th Season)

2014 Outlook: Like UGF, Western once reigned supreme in the Frontier. But those championship seasons were a long, long time ago. The Bulldogs have only averaged two wins per season in conference over the last six years, and they went 3-11 a year ago. Western doesn't lack talent though, especially hitter Emily Erickson (5-10) and middle blocker Brea Mitchell (5-9). Paige Latimer is also an excellent setter, but overall, Western will have a hard time going any further in the Frontier than it has in any of the past few seasons.