2016 Frontier Conference Volleyball Preview

For what has seemed like forever, the Frontier Conference has been dominated by one volleyball team each season.

For a long time, that was Lewis-Clark State. The Montana State University-Northern Skylights had their turn, too. The last two years, it’s been Rocky Mountain College.

But entering the start of a brand new conference season, things look a little different. Yes, there are still some very good teams. Carroll College and Lewis-Clark State have run up nice pre-conference records. The league also has three teams ranked in the NAIA Top 25. But, there’s no denying, this fall might be one in which parity takes center stage on the volleyball court.

“Our league is always so tough,” Northern head coach Bill Huebsch said. “There’s never an easy night. I do think things are a little more wide open this year because a lot of teams lost some really good players, and there are some young teams in our league this year. But it’s still going to be the same in that every match will be really tough.”

Here's a look at the 2016 Frontier Conference, team-by-team, in the predicted order of finish.

Rocky Mountain

Battlin' Bears

2016: 3-10

2015: 9-3, 27-9, 1st in Frontier, NAIA national tournament

Head Coach: Laurie Kelly (11th season)

Outlook: The Battlin' Bears have won the last two Frontier titles. But, graduation hit Rocky hard, as the Bears lost a pair of All-Americans, and, in the last two seasons, they've saw seven different All-Conference players graduate. Rocky comes into conference play looking for a 3-peat, but that may be tough given the Bears' young roster. New faces like Savanna Smith (6-0) and Kylie Hadley (5-11) are emerging, and the Bears have a strong setter in Hailey Copinga (5-10). However, with the size, and the production Rocky has lost to graduation the last two seasons, staying on top of a deep and difficult Frontier will be a tall order for the Bears.

Carroll College

Fighting Saints

2016: 11-2, No. 16 in NAIA

2015: 9-3, 16-12, 2nd in Frontier

Head Coach: Moe Boyle (12th season)

Outlook: Reaching the national tourney a year ago, Carroll isn't content. The Fighting Saints have their sights set on a Frontier title this fall, and, at least in the non-conference season, they're off to a great start. Carroll comes into league play ranked No. 16 in the NAIA, and, with a lot of firepower at almost every spot on the floor. Paige Montgomery (6-0) and Holly Morehouse (6-0) are Carroll's anchors at the net, and two of the best offensive players in the league. But, Carroll can also go to Alya Carpenter (5-9)and Brielle Bumgarner (6-1) on offense and on the block, while Jonni Door (5-9) is as reliable as it gets at setter. So, with Carroll's talent, size, and experience, there's no denying that, the Fighting Saints certainly look like the team to beat this year in the Frontier.

Lewis-Clark State

Warriors

2016: 4-4

2015: 8-4, 26-10, 3rd in Frontier

Head Coach: LaToya Harris (4th Season)

Outlook: The Warriors are always one of the team's to beat in the Frontier and the 2016 LC State squad is no different. LCSC did graduate three-time All-American Trenisha Doyle, but, veteran head coach LaToya Harris still has plenty of firepower. And it all starts with returning All-American Kennadie Clute (6-1), who led the Frontier in hitting a year ago. LCSC does have some fresh faces around Clute, but, the likes of Stephanie Ovitz (5-11) and Katie Barton (5-11) should fill those voids on offense, while Rachel Gregg (6-0) is another name to watch for. And, with having one of the best home court advantages in the league, LCSC will once again be hard to stop this season.

Montana Tech

Orediggers

2016: 8-4, No. 22 in NAIA

2015: 6-6, 18-12, 5th in Frontier

Head Coach: Brian Solomon (5th Season)

Outlook: The Orediggers started strong a year ago, but faded late. Tech is again off to a strong start this season, and with one of the most experienced teams in the conference, they're hoping to stay strong all season. Already ranked in the NAIA Top 25, Tech should contend for the conference crown, thanks to its always-tough defense. But, as good as Tech is defensively, the Orediggers can get it done on offense too, and having one of the top setters in the league in Mackeznie Bauck (5-7) certainly helps. Bauck also has three outstanding players to pass the ball to in returning starters Bailie Cortner (6-2), Jordan Danz (6-0) and Nicole Peacock (5-11), and with a strong back row to boot, the Diggers could be one of the most complete teams in the conference, and they could certainly be in line to battle Carroll and LC State for the conference championship.

Great Falls

Argos

2016: 6-7

2015: 7-5, 26-10, 4th in Frontier

Head Coach: Arunas Duda (13th Season)

Outlook: The Argos haven't won a league title in quite some time, but, they have certainly been consistent. Year-after-year, UGF is one of the toughest teams in the Frontier to beat, and this fall should be no different. As always, Arunas Duda has a deep roster with a big presence at the net. Outside hitter Madison Wilhelm (6-2) is one of the top offensive players in the conference, and Tiffany Marks and Mariah Diaz, are two more that stand over 6-0 to give UGF a daunting presence up front. Bree Davis is also a strong setter, and UGF is always one of the top serving teams in the Frontier, so, it looks like the Argos have it all. And, if they can find ways to win on the road, they could defnintely be in contention for a Frontier title come November.

MSU-Northern

Skylights

2016: 1-8

2015: 2-10, 10-19, 6th in Frontier

Head Coach: Bill Huebsch (8th Season)

Outlook: The Skylights have been in a rebuilding mode the last two seasons, and though they have started slow this fall, they certainly have a chance to surprise the rest of the Frontier. Of Northern's eight losses in the non-conference season, six have come against NAIA teams ranked nationally. Veterans Cassie Krueger (6-0), Emily Russell (5-8) and Cydney Auzenne (5-10) are meshing well with exciting new talent like Timi Severson (6-0), Haley Yoder (6-2) and Hannah Amtmann (5-4), and, as the Skylights continue to gel, they're certainly a team that could become very dangerous come November.

UM-Western

Bulldogs

2016: 5-7

2015: 1-11, 8-19, 7th in Frontier

Head Coach: Brent Lewis (1st Season)

Outlook: The Bulldogs may be picked to finish last, and have finished last in the Frontier for seven seasons in a row now, but, they aren't playing like a last-place team entering league play. Western returns a host of veteran players for first-year head coach Brian Lewis, led by senior middle blocker Brittany Erickson (5-11), a returning All-Conference performer. Outside hitter Bailey Wilson (5-11) and senior setter Callie Hanson (5-7) give the Bulldogs a solid nucleus to work with, and, the way they have started off the new season, there's no denying, the Bulldogs are on the upswing this season.