Skylights travel to tough DSU classic
By Ryan Divish/Havre Daily News Sports Editor/rdivish@havredailynews.com
Last week, the Montana State University-Northern volleyball team kicked off the
season with rousing success, winning their own
invitational tourney with a 4-0 record.
But that was last week.
This weekend the Skylights will put their undefeated record on the line a the extremely tough Blue Hawk Classic in
Northern opened play this morning at
"It will be a very tough tournament," said head coach Lisa Handley.
"There are some very good teams there."
Still, the Skylights are coming into the tournament with a fair amount of
momentum following last weekend. More than the tournament championship or the
four wins, Handley liked the attitude her team showed over the weekend.
"That's huge for us," she said.
"Learning how to win is a tough thing. They got the idea and feeling of
what it's like to get it done right away. I hope they can continue that all
season."
It won't be easy. Perhaps, Northern's easiest match will be against Mayville.
The Comets were picked to finish seventh in the DAC-10 conference and return
four starters from last year's quad that finished with a 6-22 last season.
Senior setter Kayla Aune returns to lead the Comets after finishing sixth in
the DAC-10 in assists. Fellow senior Angie Kaufmann returns at outside hitter
after averaging 3.2 digs per game last season. Also returning are middle
hitters Nicole Schumacher and Ayrin Wold.
Comet head coach Chris Rodgers loaded up on size and talent, recruiting five
players that are expected to come in and contribute immediately.
In her first year at Mary, she had an impressive 442, kills, 358 digs and 68
blocks while earning all-conference honors.
"She is a player that can play back row, be a primary passer, be a primary
digger, have a high hitting efficiency and be consistent at the net," Mary
head coach Heidi Sunderland told the Bismarck Tribune. "She can fill all
the roles."
Fellow
On Saturday, Northern will open with NCAA Division II Minnesota-Moorhead, yet
another quality team. The Dragons finished last season with a 17-13 record, but
lost three key starters, including all-conference performer Courtney Syvertson.
The Dragons do return six letter winners from last year led by senior setter
Susan Kolbow, who averaged 9.77 assists per game. Outside hitter Sigourney
Schaffer is back after earning second-team all-conference honors. Also
contributing are middle blocker Diana Dykema and rightside hitter Becky
Anderson.
The Skylights will face yet another DAC-10 in
The Jimmies were hit hard by graduation, losing three all-conference players
from last season including hitter Maggie Asmund and setter Carey Blanchford.
However, all-conference outside hitter Jennifer Lopes is back after a solid
season. Lopes averaged 3.4 kills and 3.3 digs per game last year.
Still, the loss of their setter will be a major adjustment for head coach Chris
Mahoney and his team. He will go with freshmen Kristi Senftner and Lindsey
Meyers.
"That's the biggest adjustment right now," Mahoney told the
Northern will once again use its tremendous amount of depth to its advantage.
Skylights Jordan Fox and Emilee Madsen earned all-conference honors for their
performances last weekend, while Jasmine Mitchell, Jeanna McPherson, Alicia
Mannin, Ashley Roth, Kelley Thorpe and Tera O'Haire will see plenty of court
action after solid tournaments.
DSU CLASIC Schedule
Friday
Saturday
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