BISMARCK, N.D. -- Bismarck State volleyball returns home this weekend for a pair of highly anticipated Frontier Conference matchups, hosting Carroll (Mont.) on Friday at 6 p.m. and Rocky Mountain (Mont.) on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Mystics enter the weekend riding high after stunning No. 8 Providence for the program's first-ever win over an NAIA top-25 opponent, part of a three-match win streak that has BSC playing its best volleyball since an early-season 2-6 start.

How BSC Stacks Up

Through their recent stretch, the Mystics have been hitting .153 as a team, averaging 11.6 kills, 10.5 assists, 1.6 aces and 15.1 digs per set. The home environment has brought cleaner execution at the net, with BSC's front line now averaging 2.0 blocks per set.

To secure a weekend sweep in Bismarck, setter Aislyn Hogan will need to continue diversifying the offense beyond outside hitter Reese Duchsherer. Keeping Jordyn Rood heavily involved early will be a key to pulling defenders away from the pins. Defensively, if Rood and Ellie Baumstarck can anchor the net and libero Piper Harris maintains her usual back-row coverage, the Mystics will have what they need to slow down this weekend's opponents.

Scouting Carroll

The Fighting Saints roll into North Dakota amid one of their best starts to conference play in a decade, carrying an 11-3 overall record (6-1 Frontier Conference). They present a rigorous test for the Mystics' defense.

Carroll's attack is spearheaded by the sister duo of Lauren and Birdie Heuiser. Senior middle hitter Lauren Heuiser recently paced the squad with an 11-kill performance against Valley City State, while sophomore Birdie Heuiser routinely provides plays at the net. Flanking them is first-team all-conference selection McKaila Balcom, who powers the right-side attack. The Saints' balanced offense runs through the tandem setting of Lauren Fox and Jansyn Carrizales, while Sofia Kimmel anchors the back row -- she posted a team-high 14 digs in Carroll's most recent sweep.

Carroll prepares for a match on Thursday evening in Dickinson State (N.D.) before heading to BSC Friday to conclude a four-game in five days in North Dakota. They began their week on Monday and Tuesday with sweeps of Mayville State (N.D.) and Valley City State (N.D.), respectively.

Scouting Rocky Mountain

The Battlin' Bears offer a scrappy, defensive test under first-year head coach Lauren Revering. Rocky Mountain (3-9, 1-6 Frontier Conference) enters the weekend looking to bounce back after a five-set midweek loss to MSU-Billings.

Rocky Mountain features a veteran-led squad that includes nine seniors focused on making every play count. Expect the Battlin' Bears to lean on their defense to prolong rallies and keep the Mystics off-balance. Middle blocker Rachel Whyte and defensive specialist Lindsay Lawrence provide much of the on-court leadership for Rocky Mountain in transition. Setting duties are directed by Kristyn Mentink, who looks to establish tempo early and find scoring options on the outside pins.

Rocky plays against Dickinson State on Friday night, giving the Mystics a rare opportunity to see both Frontier weekend opponents on the ladder halves of their road trips.

Kuether on Homecoming Weekend

"It's always fun to have JV, because it's fun to see [them] play too," head coach Kyle Kuether said. "We haven't seen them play since the Dickinson State match, so it's really exciting to watch them, and our varsity girls are there to cheer them on, so it creates a fun atmosphere. We're excited to see a full house for homecoming, and hopefully, it's another good weekend. Carroll and Rocky Mountain are both on pretty good highs right now, so it'll be a fun weekend to play some more highly competitive teams."

Friday and Saturday's matches will also feature the Mystics' JV squad, which hasn't played in front of the home crowd since the Mystic Invite. They will play Jamestown's (N.D.) JV team on Friday at 3 p.m. and Rocky's JV team Saturday at 12 p.m.

See the volleyball schedule for more information on how to watch, follow and attend the upcoming matches.