Skylights wrap up non-conference play with sweeps in Great Falls

Just like that, Frontier Conference play is here. And the Montana State University-Northern volleyball team is going into league play with plenty of momentum.

Northern wrapped up its non-conference schedule with two wins at this past weekend’s University of Providence Tournament in Great Falls, as the Skylights swept both Benedictine-Mesa and NAIA power Dickinson State.

The wins improved MSU-N’s overall record to 6-8 heading into Thursday’s Frontier opener at Rocky Mountain College.

Friday, the Skylights took care of Benedictine by scores of 25-22, 25-23 and 25-12. Senior Cassie Krueger continued her fine season with 13 kills and 13 digs, while Timi Severson had a block and freshman Shania Neubauer tallied 17 aces and two service aces.

Northern’s big test over the weekend then came Saturday morning, and the Skylights passed with flying colors as they defeated the Blue Hawks by scores of 25-20, 28-26 and 25-18. Krueger and Mikayala Virostek each had nine kills, while they also combined for eight stuff blocks. Krueger also finished with three aces, while Haley Yoder added six kills and Hannah Amtmann had a match-high 20 digs.

Now, the Skylights will get ready for their first week of league play, which not only includes the trip to RMC Thursday, but their long-awaited home debut. Saturday, Northern will host UM-Western at 2 p.m. inside the Armory Gymnasium.

MSU-Northern def. Benedictine

25-22, 25-23, 25-12

MSU-N – Kills 36 (Cassie Krueger 13), Assists 30 (Shanie Neubauer 17), Aces 2 (Neubauer 1, Hailey Warren 1), Digs 52 (Hannah Amtmann 13, Krueger 13), Blocks 1 (Timi Severson 1).

MSU-Northern def. Dickinson State

25-20, 28-26, 25-18

MSU-N - (kills-aces-blocks) Kylie Pasieka 0-0-0; Mikayla Virostek 9-0-5; Cassie Krueger 9-4-3; Hailey Warren 0-1-0; Haley Yoder 6-0-1; Hannah Amtmann 0-0-0; Timi Severson 4-0-4; Katia Michelotti 2-0-6; Ashley Ponce 0-1-0; Shania Neubauer 3-0-3; Mckaylie Tanner 1-0-0. Totals 34-6-11.0.