Skylights win a marathon

The Montana State University-Northern volleyball team continued its preparation for Frontier Conference play with more challenges.

This past weekend, the Skylights were in Menlo, California for four matches at the Menlo College Tournament, where they went 1-3.

Northern opened the tourney with a 3-set loss at the hands of seventh-ranked Westmont. Playing against one of the top teams in the country, the Skylights fell by scores of 25-21, 25-11 and 25-16. Cassie Krueger had eight kills and Mikayla Virostek had a solo block in the loss.

Friday was still a successful day, however, as Northern rebounded with a five-set win over San Diego Christian. In the victory, the Skylights showed some toughness by erasing a 2-1 deficit, and winning tight fourth and fifth sets. Northern won the match by scores of 25-14, 18-25, 16-25, 25-23 and 15-13. Krueger had 16 kills, two aces and a block, while Timi Severson also tallied 16 kills. Hailey Warren had 44 assists and 10 digs.

With an exciting win in tow, the Skylights had a much tougher day on Saturday. First, they fell to host Menlo by scores of 25-17, 25-21 and 25-16. Krueger again led the way with nine kills, 11 digs and two aces. William Jessup, another GSAC school, also swept the Skylights by scores of 25-17, 25-21 and 25-19. Hannah Amtmann had 14 digs and two aces.

The 1-3 record in California now has the Skylights at 4-8 on the young season. MSU-N has just one non-conference week left, as it will play three matches at this weekend’s University of Providence Tournament in Great Falls. The Skylights are also a week away from their home-opener, Sept. 16 against UM-Western.

Westmont def. MSU-Northern

25-21, 25-11, 25-16

MSU-N – Kills 27 (Cassie Krueger 8), Assists 24 (Hailey Warren 20), Aces 1 (Warren 1), Digs 34 (Hannah Amtmann 10), Blocks 10 (Mikayla Virostek 1).

MSU-Northern def. San Diego Christian

25-14, 18-25, 16-25, 25-23, 15-13

MSU-N – Kills 57 (Timi Severson 16, Cassie Krueger 16, Haley Yoder 10), Assists 54 (Hailey Warren 44), Aces 3 (Krueger 2), Digs 58 (Hannah Amtmann 18, Hailey Warren 11, Ashley Ponce 11), Blocks 9 (Krueger 1).

Menlo def. MSU-Northern

25-17, 25-21, 25-16

MSU-N – Kills 22 (Cassie Krueger 9), Assists 19 (Shainia Neubauer 7), Aces 3 (Krueger 2), Digs 41 (Krueger 11), Blocks 0.

William Jessup def. MSU-Northern

25-17, 25-21, 25-19

MSU-N – Kills 27 (Cassie Krueger 8), Assists 24 (Hailey Warren 11, Shania Neubauer 11), Aces 4 (Hannah Amtmann 2), Digs 38 (Amtmann 14), Blocks 10 (Krueger 1, Haley Yoder 1).