The Idaho State volleyball team opens a crucial weekend at 7 p.m. today in Reed Gym against Northern Colorado.

Currently, the Bengals sit in a seventh-place tie in the Big Sky standings, and they can't afford many more slipups if they hope to finish in the top four on the league and qualify for the conference tournament.

The Bears (14-9, 7-2 Big Sky) certainly will provide a huge test for Idaho State (9-13, 3-7). Northern Colorado is in third place in the league standings, a half game behind co-leaders Portand State and Eastern Washington.

During his weekly news conference Monday, Bengals coach Chad Teichert gave an honest assessment of his team's up-and-down play.

"On the right day, we're fourth (in the conference)," he said. "On the wrong day, we're where we're at - down there someplace."