The MSU-Northern Skylights volleyball team started off the 2024 season in tremendous fashion, taking three of four matches from quality opponents at last week’s Big Sky Challenge. New Media Broadcasters caught up with head coach Jerry Wagner and he said the momentum carried from dropping the first match and then rattling off three straight wins points to what could have been, despite the good showcase.
“The past tournament was expectational,” Wagner said. “We played teams from New Orleans, Oregon, Arizona, on the first weekend,” Wagner said. “I wish we would’ve gotten into a groove just a tad bit earlier at a few opportune times.”
“We did get it in a groove the next two days and (I) couldn’t be happier,” Wagner continued. “Overall, it was a very good weekend and I felt like a couple of areas that are definitely a strength of ours done better over time in the first match, we could potentially be (4-0).”
The Skylights had a player of the week for the Frontier Conference. Senior middle hitter Alana Graves was recognized as the “Attacker of the Week”. Coach Wagner gave praise to his star player, but also said her effort was a domino effect from the buildup of play throughout the tournament.
“A middle hitter like Alana Graves does not do the things she’s able to do without an unbelievable passing effort, excellent setting, and just a team cohesiveness that we have been able to build,” Wagner said. “(She is) pretty much at the top of her game every year and she is beyond that.”
“I can tell you story after story that she was ready for this season and it’s unquestioned that she is going to reach her goals and the team as well,” Wagner continued.
Northern turns the attention now to another tournament, albeit one that was supposed to include more teams. Coach Wagner characterized the challenges facing his team, but said the familiarity of playing two opponents on neutral courts in the past will be a factor in winning this weekend.
“We’ve got plenty of room to grow and we need to make sure that we check ourselves each week to make sure that we are improving,” Wagner said.
“Providence was able to attract an Arizona team and a Washington team and people that we’re familiar with,” Wagner continued. “It was supposed to be a four-match weekend for us, but somebody backed out in Great Falls, so we’re going to Providence to play those two.”
“They’re people that we know and they’re highly formidable teams,” Wagner said.
The MSU-Northern Skylights volleyball team will travel to Great Falls to play at the University of Providence tournament on Saturday. Ottawa University-Arizona will be the first opponent at 11am, followed by the Evergreen State College at 3pm.
