HELENA — A week ago, the Carroll College Fighting Saints split a two-game series with the University of Providence Argos, and though it was a completely different atmosphere, many of the players were just happy to be back out on the court.
“It was unique having to play with no fans, a bunch of different protocols that we're having to undergo, but at the end of the day, we're just grateful to be back on the court," said Taelyr Krantz. "It's been almost a year and a half since our last game, so you're not going to hear a lot of complaints from us when we get to be on the court and playing the game that we love.”
Though the Saints were obviously hoping to start off the season at 2-0, most believe they’ll hit their peak very soon.
“It's definitely so different, even just the change from a fall season to a spring season," said Lexi Mikkelsen. "Not having any preseason matches, but it's also been good. I think it gives us an opportunity to just focus on what we have, and focus on our strengths and build on that.”
As the Fighting Saints prepare for their first road game tonight against the Montana Western Bulldogs, head coach Moe Boyle believes they’ll get a better chance to really get into a game mentality as opposed to when they're playing at home.
"There's almost an advantage of being the away team because you're preparing for the match long before the home team is. Because there isn't that excitement built around a home game, because nobody's going," said Boyle. " Being on the bus, you know, [Friday] afternoon, knowing we're staying the night, [Friday] night. I think we'll be in game-mode sooner, and we'll be talking game sooner. We'll have a game plan."
The Fighting Saints and the Montana Western Bulldogs square off on Friday at 7 p.m.
