Skylights face big-time teams at Bellevue College Tourney

The Montana State University-Northern Skylights went 0-4 in the season-opening Big Sky Challenge last weekend in Butte but the scores didn't indicate just how well the Skylights played at times.

Northern kept just about every set it played in Butte, no matter the opponent, within a 3-4 point spread, and while MSU-N won just two of those sets over the course of four matches, the Skylights could take away plenty of positives.

Now though, the challenges for a young Northern team get even tougher. This weekend, the Skylights travel to Bellevue, Nebraska, for the Bellevue College Tournament. The tourney is typically one of the toughest preseason tournaments in the NAIA, and this year's version will be no different.

In Nebraska, Northern will face three teams currently ranked in the NAIA Preseason Coaches Poll, and a fourth that's just outside the Top 25. The Skylights open the tourney against Jamestown University, which is currently ranked No. 25 in the NAIA. The second match Friday will pit the Skylights against Peru State, which is receiving votes in the poll.

Saturday's action won't get any easier as MSU-N battles two more Top 25 squads. In the morning, Northern will face No. 18 Doane College, followed by an afternoon match against host Bellevue, which is ranked No. 21 in the NAIA.

But while all four matches will be tough for what is a very young MSU-N squad, they will also be outstanding experiences for Northern as the Skylights continue to prepare for Frontier Conference play, which is now just two weeks away.

Veterans like Hannah Amtmann, Katia Michelotti and Jessica Curl were strong last weekend in Butte, and this weekend's road trip to Nebraska will be good for Northern's young core, which includes return setters Hailey Warren and Shania Neubauer, as well as newcomers like Abigal Ellison, Jordan O'Connor and Emily Guiterrez, who as freshmen, all saw significant playing time last weekend.

The trip to Nebraska will also help the Skylights prepare for long road trips throughout the conference season. This weekend is the only time Northern will leave Montana, with the exception of its Frontier road trip to Lewis-Clark State laster this fall. Next weekend, the Skylights are back in Montana to wrap up preseason play with the University of Providence Tournament in Great Falls.

Northern begins play at the Bellevue Tournament Friday at 11 a.m. against Jamestown. The Skylights play Peru State Friday at 5 p.m. Saturday, MSU-N battles Doane at 9 a.m. and Bellevue at 11 a.m.