Skylights head to the desert

August isn’t over just yet. But, the 2019 volleyball season is no longer new for the Montana State University-Northern Skylights. In fact, Northern is now in the heart of its non-conference schedule.

And that schedule continues with three days worth of matches this weekend in Phoenix. Today and Saturday, the Skylights will take part in the Arizona Christian Tournament, followed by a Sunday matinee against Park University-Arizona.

It will be an exciting trip for the Skylights, who went 2-2 at last weekend’s Big Sky Challenge in Butte, and who bring a 3-2 overall record to Arizona. Northern has already won two more matches than it did all of last season, so, it’s clear, new head coach Jerry Wagner has MSU-N off to a great start.

The start is also echoed in the stats thus far. The Skylights are hitting .101, which, Wagner would like to see improve, but, MSU-N didn’t reach that hitting percentage at any point a year ago. Northern has also been tough in serving so far, totaling 27 aces, and an average of more than one per set. Blocking has been good too, with the Skylights averaging nearly two blocks per set.

Individually, early players to step up for the Skylights include hitters Rylee Burmester and Elissa Lind. Both came to Northern from the junior college ranks, with Burmester tallying 51 kills and Lind adding 39 this season. Sophomore Abigail Ellison has also hit the 30-kill mark in the first two weeks of 2019, while veteran Shania Neubauer has served six aces, and has been all over the floor, with 22 kills, 112 assists and 39 digs.

Defensively, a pair of freshmen have also had a big impact for Wagner’s club. Middle blocker Marlee Bender has a team-high 12 blocks, while libero Katie Murdock has 43 digs.

But, as well as the new-look Skylights have played so far, the competition will keep getting more difficult.

Northern starts the ACU tourney with Park University, then takes on the host Firestorm on Friday night. ACU is 1-2 on the young season, but, its two losses have come against nationally-ranked opponents, so, the Firestorm will be a big test for the Skylights.

On Saturday, Northern turns its attention to SAGU American Indian College, before wrapping up the tournament against Dakota State. Northern will then play Park for a second time Sunday, with the match taking place in Gilbert, Arizona.

“It will be a really good trip for us,” Wagner said earlier this summer. “I think that trip will give us a chance to play against some teams that are very similar to us, but will also challenge us at the same time.”

Northern will face Park this afternoon, followed by the match against the Firestorm tonight at 7. MSU-N battles SAGU Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by the match with Dakota State at Noon. Sunday’s match against Park is slated for Noon as well. The Skylights will play at the University of Providence Tournament next weekend in Great Falls. The Skylights wrap up non-conference play at Dickinson State Sept. 13.