Skylights searching for an elusive win in Dillon

It's becoming quite clear that, with how good the Frontier Conference is in volleyball again this season, wins, especially on the road, are going to be hard to come by.

But, Saturday night in Dillon, someone is going to get their first Frontier win of the season, and the Montana State University-Northern Skylights are hoping it's them. Northern (0-5, 1-16) takes on UM-Western (0-5, 4-11) Saturday night, with the winner grabbing its first win of the year in conference play.

And while both Northern and Western are winless so far in league play, beating the other will by no means be easy.

The Skylights have strengths in blocking, with the likes of Jessica Curl and Katia Michelotti leading the way. Defensively, Northern is also playing well, led by libero Hannah Amtmann as well as defensive specialist Ashley Ponce in the back row. Northern certainly would like to hit the ball better than it has so far in league play, but young hitters like Emily Gutierrez, Jordan O'Connor and Abigail Ellison are certainly developing.

Western no doubt has its strengths too, despite its struggles in league play thus far.

All-Conference libero Dylan Fowler (5-5, L) is one of the top players in the conference, and Kelsey Potter (OH 5-8) and Kyra Palmer (RS 5-9) are strong up front, while Ellen Wolferman (MB 6-0) is an outstanding server.

The Bulldogs, who the Skylights swept last year, will also have home-court advantage Saturday night, and the Skylights know how hard life on the road is in the Frontier. Saturday night's trip to Western is the second of four straight road matches for the Skylights, who don't play at home again until a rivalry match with Providence Oct. 24.

Saturday night's match between the Skylights and Bulldogs starts at 7 p.m. in Dillon. The Frontier will then have its annual bye week next weekend, and when the Skylights return to action, they'll travel to Montana Tech Oct. 18 and Lewis-Clark State Oct. 20.