Rivalry renewed: Skylights host UGF
By Ryan Divish/Havre Daily News Sports Editor/rdivish@havredailynews.com
After a pair of emotion-filled, exhausting and exciting conference wins this
past weekend, another match today would seem like the perfect time for a
letdown from the Montana State University-Northern volleyball team.
Except for one thing, the Skylights opponent is the
Although it has only been three years since the
"It's never tough for our girls to get up for UGF," said head coach
Lisa Handley. "It's developed into a big rivalry"
In the past, it may have been difficult to label the matchup
a rivalry. Rivalries are supposed to be even, but for the most part, it's been
pretty one-sided in terms of wins and losses. Northern has lost to UGF just
once in the last three years.
Things are very much different this season. The
New head coach Arunas
Duda is slowly turning the UGF volleyball program
with an infusion of enthusiasm and talent.
"He's a very good coach," Handley said. "He's very positive and
enthusiastic and his players always play hard for him."
Handley and the Skylights have first-hand knowledge of it. Northern edged UGF
19-30, 31-29, 20-30, 30-22, 15-4 in a five-game marathon in the championship
match of the Skylights Invitational volleyball tournament in August.
It was a match filled with blistering kills, back-and-forth momentum and
boisterous players
"I wouldn't be surprised if it went to five games again," Handley
sad. "Their record might not show it, but UGF is a very good team."
Indeed, the Argos are 5-10 overall and 1-3 in the Frontier Conference, but they
have lost some very close matches this season and are more than capable of
ending the Skylights' perfect home record.
The
Outside hitter Brittany Prater gave Northern headaches in the first meeting
with her explosive hitting ability. Prater earned all-tournament honors in the
Northern tournament.
Another player who caused the Skylights problems was freshman middle blocker
Ashley Harris. At 6-2, Harris was a key blocker against Northern's
big hitters.
UGF also gets solid production from Becky Radiel and
middle blocker Deidre Ranf along with setter Hayley Wright and libero Denise
McLain.
Prater has been hobbled by a sprained ankle in recent week's, but has played in
the last two conference matches, and played fairly well.
"She's very tough," Handley said. "Our blocking needs to be much
better, especially with their outside hitters."
Northern's blocking hasn't been bad thus far this
season. As a team, the Skylights lead the Frontier Conference in blocking at
more than three blocks per game. Middle blockers Jeanna
McPherson and Tera O'Haire
played extremely well this past weekend, and it must continue tonight.
Offensively, Jordan Fox has been one of the most consistent producers for
Northern and in the conference. She is averaging close to four kills per game
and has led the team in kills in almost every match. She is joined up front by
outside hitters Jasmine Mitchell and Julie Henderson.
There may be some uncertainty of who will be getting the front line the ball.
Setter Emilee Madsen, who was named Frontier
Conference setter of the week for her performance this past weekend, is
battling the flu and may not play. Handley said it would be a game-time
decision for Madsen.
If Madsen can't go, either Kelly Thorpe will move back to setter from libero, or Christine Smith will take care of the setting
duties.
The Skylights' overall depth offers them some options.
There isn't a shortage of players who will be ready to play tonight.
"I love that the girls get really fired up to play