HELENA, Mont. -- A focus inward and an excitement playing in front of home fans is fueling the Carroll College Saints volleyball team this week.
The Saints (14-8, 2-2) host No. 20 Montana Tech (11-7, 3-1) on Wednesday and Lewis-Clark State College (12-3, 2-1) on Friday in the PE Center.
"What we have really tried to do this week is focus on us," Saints coach Moe Boyle said. "Limiting errors and playing with a purpose. Having intent with our offense and trying to stay disciplined on defense. Really, all that in a nutshell is that we need to focus on us and we need to do our assignment."
The Saints split last week, falling to Providence 3-1 on the road before bouncing back the next night to defeat Montana State-Northern. Through the good and the bad last week, a trio of Saints continues to play strong.
Brielle Bumgarner has been a force at the net, while senior setter
Rayna Pilgeram makes the offense flow. Defensively,
Ayla Carpenter leads the team in digs with 4.4 per game.
Carroll will first host last year's Frontier champion Montana Tech. Tech, like Carroll, is one of the better blocking teams in the NAIA. On top of that, Heather Thompson is No. 5 in the NAIA in hitting percentage at .385.
"Huge matches," Boyle said. "I feel like the Frontier is a pretty tough conference. You've heard it in every sport. It's just a grind. There isn't' a gimme. You have to be on your game every time you go out. I do feel like people give us their best match."
Things don't necessarily get easier on Friday, even though Lewis-Clark State is currently unranked. The Warriors have proven to be a strong team early on this season, posting a 12-3 record.
"LC is a much different team this year than they have been the last few years," Boyle said. "We're expecting a very hard fought match on Friday, as well. They play with a lot of energy. We're hoping that, again, that focus on us limits our error and keeps us disciplined on defense."
The inward focus and the friendly confines of the PE Center could be the Saints' biggest allies this week.
Carroll's first match against Tech begins on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
