After a pair of tournaments, the Sidney volleyball team is preparing to start the conference season off right. The Eagles travel to Billings Saturday to face conference foes Laurel and Billings Central.

“It’s going to be a big trip for us,” Sidney head coach Caryn Fehilly said. “Being such a young team, we’re going to get better any time we hit the court.”

Just like most teams in the conference, Billings Central will be young after being hit hard by graduation. “They are looked at to be one of the favorites in the conference, but they are really working to gel as a team,” Fehilly said. “Central is trying to re-group with some new players, but I was very impressed with the fact that they don’t quit. They go into every match with that winning attitude.”

Laurel will also be a tough match-up. The Locomotives defeated Sidney in a very competitive match during the Montana-Wyoming tournament Saturday.

“It was very close, but I hope that playing a full match will make a difference,” Fehilly said. “Laurel is a very experienced team that has grown through the years.”

The young Eagles have shown improvement in a short amount of time. “I have seen a big change in some of our younger players. They have really started to earn the respect of their teammates with their athletic abilities,” she said.

While Central and Miles City have been pegged as the top two teams in the conference, it has the potential to be a tight race.

“I don’t think there’s really that dominant team this season,” Fehilly said. “I think everybody is in the same boat. We have a chance to surprise some teams.”