Helena, MONT. -- The Carroll College Saints are challenging some of the best in the NAIA in a difficult road trip to Nebraska this weekend.

The Saints (3-5) have a massive weekend lined up, traveling to Fremont and Bellevue, Nebraska, and facing two Top 12 teams while playing five games in three days.

"It's exciting to take them out there and be able to play those ranked teams because I think we have some momentum form last weekend," Saints coach Moe Boyle said. "I think they've proven to themselves they can play with some of the best teams in the NAIA and I'm excited for them to prove to themselves that they're good enough to beat those teams."

The Saints get busy on Thursday, taking on Midland University (6-1) on the Lady Warrior's home court in Fremont, Nebraska. Midland was ranked No. 11 in the NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Top 25. Midland brings a solid defense (No. 21 in NAIA in total blocks with 52) to the court.

After that, the Saints get Baker University (Kansas) and York College (Nebraska) in Bellevue on Friday. York is currently 0-6 while Baker sports a 1-3 record.

The weekend concludes with a game against William Woods University (Missouri) and No. 2 Dordt College (Iowa) on Saturday. WWU is 201 while Dordt is 4-0 without dropping a set on the season.
Most importantly for a young Saints team is a chance to show out better than they did a season ago in Nebraska.

"It's a pretty new group," Boyle said. "There's only three really experienced players going with us. I think that's going to benefit us. The unknown sometimes is better than the known. There's a cohesive unit right now, so hopefully we can pick up a lot of the good we had last weekend and carry it forward."

The Saints have 10 more road games before returning to the PE Center on Sept. 15.