The Carroll College volleyball team is starting its Frontier Conference season with one of its biggest tests as it faces off against rival Montana Tech tonight at 7 p.m. in the Carroll P.E. Center.

The Saints, who are 6-6 in the preseason and coming off a three-match win streak, will face an Orediggers team (8-4) that lost just one senior from last season's team.

"I think starting with Tech is going to be a huge test for us," said Saints head coach, Mo Boyle. "They're playing well. They're playing real well. We've had a chance to watch them play, both down in California and here.

"They're going to be for sure one of the top teams in the conference."

Still, the Saints are looking strong as they settle their players into starting positions and perfect their offensive strategy. They won their last three matches using a three-person middle attack and, after jumbling their team around, have settled on their key players.

"We knew that we were going to be playing a variety of players and trying a lot of offensive strategies and I think that we found that," Boyle said. "As far as 6-6 goes, the chemistry of our team is exactly what we wanted and that's what our preseason expectation was."

The Saints lost four senior starters from last season's team that helped propel them to the Frontier Conference championship and the regional tournament. However, they do have some key youngsters and a new attitude.

"Chemistry-wise, I think this is one of the best teams that I've been on that clicked really well off the court. On the court, we're still working at that click, because we have some inexperience," said junior outside hitter Lindsey Lyman. "But I think that's already changing. I'm excited that this is the week we're going into conference."

Lyman is among the leaders in kills for the Saints and joins Nicole Rowan as a top hitter.

"They're both able to put the ball away with some power," Boyle said.

The Saints middle trio consists of Christina Smetana, Sammy Priddy and Haley Otteson, a true freshman.

Liz Hardan commands the game as a setter and Mary Mahoney has transitioned well from the middle blocker to the libero position, Boyle said.

The 'Diggers have their own stars. Cassie Hodges and Katie Daly provide a strong middle, while Maria McNeil is their top outside hitter. With CoreyAnne Russell winning the Frontier Conference Player of the Week, the team should have some confidence heading into this match.

"They have experience and they know where to put the ball," Lyman said. "I think we are very aggressive, especially in the middle.

"Our defense is amazing, our back row has been getting so many balls up, especially with Mary being at that position. I think we're just going to attack them at the net, and hopefully we put them where they're not."

Lyman said they've watched video and played against much of the same style of game this preseason.

"I think we've got most of their tendencies down, hopefully," she said. "We'll try to use that against them."

And of course, Boyle expects both teams to have top-notch performances in a traditionally tough rivalry.

"I don't have to say much to get (the players) going and to get them excited. They know what it's all about," Boyle said.