Skylights trap Bears with a sweep in Billings

The Frontier Conference bye week was clearly kind to the Montana State University-Northern volleyball team. Because, Northern returned to action with one of its biggest wins in recent program history.

Friday night in Billings, the Skylights swept Rocky Mountain College by scores of 25-22, 26-24 and 25-19. It was Northern’s first win over RMC since 2016.

The Skylights started to pull ahead late in the first set putting together a 5-2 run to finish. Northern started off strong, but couldn't hold the big lead, as Rocky battled back into the game. However, the Skylights held the Battlin' Bears off to take the second set. Northern took the lead early in the third set and never looked back.

The Skylights were led by Alyssa Pretty Weasel, who tallied 10 kills and a hitting percentage of .304. Alana Graves, Marlee Bender, and Rylee Burmester each added nine kills. Shania Neubauer led the team in digs with 31. Emily Feller led the team in assists with 42.

MSU-Northern had a hitting percentage of .185 on the day, while Rocky hit .145. The Skylights had 46 assists, as the Battlin' Bears had 36. Northern also had 82 digs to Rocky's 76.

The win improved MSU-N to 2-4 in the Frontier and a solid 12-11 overall. The Skylights have just four matches left in league play, with three of those coming at home.

Northern will play twice this week, starting with a match against nationally ranked Providence Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the Armory Gymnasium.

MSU-Northern def. Rocky Mountain

25-21, 26-24, 25-19

MSU-N - Kills 45 (Alyssa Pretty Weasel 10), Aces 3 (Three with one each), Assists 45 (Emily Feller 42), Digs 82 (Shania Neubauer 31), Blocks 9 (Pretty Weaseal 2).

RMC - Kills 46 (Bella Bryan 8), Aces 2 (2 with on each), Assists 45 (Blythe Sealey 14), Digs 76 (Ayla Embry 31), Blocks 7.