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Saints volleyball keeps the wins and kills coming
Games against Southwestern Oregon and Umpqua give MHCC a good headstart
The Advocate
The Saints volleyball team kept the wins coming last weekend on the road, in conference matches two and three of the season.
They traveled to Coos Bay Saturday where they played the Southwestern Oregon Lakers, sweeping the match in three straight games (25-20, 25-9, 25-20.)
Although they got the win against the Lakers, the last-place team in the Southern conference (0-2 league and 3-13 overall), it was not without its challenges.
"Southwestern is always a tough place to play. It's a small gym, and it's very loud," coach Chelsie Speer said. "We struggled with the little things, but as a group we pulled through together."
Three of the Saints had a total of seven plus kills in the game, leading the way was freshmen Devan Belshe with eight kills.
In Roseburg Sunday, the Saints beat the Umpqua Riverhawks, who are now 0-2 in conference action and 4-20 overall.
Despite the long road trip, the Saints were able to repeat their Saturday night performance, sweeping the Riverhawks in three straight games, (25-19, 25-12, 25-13).
Freshmen Devan Belshe led the Saints in kills with a double digit 16 kills, Kyra Speer also had an impressive game with 12 kills against the Riverhawks.
The Saints (3-0 and 19-4) are ranked No. 2 overall in the NWAACC poll behind the Blue Mountain Timberwolves, who are off to a strong start with a 5-0 record in the East and 21-3 overall.
According to Speer, their goal of winning the NWACC title this year is something well within reach for the Saints, as long as they don't let the wins and losses affect their mindset.
"We've got a great group of girls but they can be really hard on themselves," Speer said, "and at times that can be a problem. Our mindset is to strive for perfection and sometimes they forget the team is the most important part if they (individually) are off and pull themselves out of the game. It's been a roller coaster ride."
Still, the Saints have time to readjust and focus with seven more conference games, and tough opponents such as the Timberwolves and the Tacoma Titans down the line.
"This is a game of momentum," coach Speer said, "the way it changes so fast. I want the girls to play as well as they can, to worry about our side of the court and do what we know how to do.
"Success isn't wins or losses, and that's something I want them to keep in mind not only on the court but in life."
The next match for the Saints will be tonight against Linn-Benton at 7 p.m. at home.
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