Saints sputter, still seeking consistency

This past week had ups and downs for the Saints volleyball team. Mt. Hood went 1-2, including a loss Wednesday to the South Region’s second-place team, the Linn-Benton Community College Roadrunners.

The Roadrunners outplayed the Saints in most facets, winning 25-19, 25-17, and 25-12 in Albany.

“We fought hard, but did not play our cleanest game. We have been working on our fight and we brought that, but we need to build on that for the tournament this weekend,” said head coach Andrew Clifton, on the loss to Linn-Benton.

Last Saturday, the Saints played a four-set match against Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC). The Saints captured the first set, 25-17, but SW Oregon was able to change the momentum, taking the second set 25-12.

Sets three and four were hard-fought but the Lakers were able to edge the Saints, taking both the final two sets by a 25-23 score.

“We started off good, but made a number of unforced errors in a row and it gave SWOCC life in the (second) game,” Clifton said. “Then we had to battle in the third and fourth game. SWOCC played well and we just didn’t bring our A-game that night.”

The Saints did get strong play out of sophomore right-side hitter Devin Saucy, who recorded 19 kills. Freshman outside hitter Jessica Pedro stepped up big on the defensive end, with 18 defensive digs. Sophomore setter Shea Lindsey and Freshman outside hitter Trisha Johnson both provided 20 sets for the Saints.

One night earlier, on Oct. 24, the Saints took on the Umpqua Riverhawks in a match that was all Saints (25-16, 25-12, 26-24).

“We looked good that night and did not make too many unforced errors,” Clifton said.

Pedro and Lindsey sparked the Saints’ offensive attack. Pedro recorded 15 kills, while Lindsey contributed 29 sets. Sophomore libero Kiana Miller added eight defensive digs in the match.

This week, the Saints could celebrate a South Region defensive player of the week award, which went to Pedro. She has made a big impact this season on the offensive end, and her recent play has shown her ability on both sides of the net.

“Jessica’s great defensive play has just started to come together in the last week or so,” Clifton said. “It has been a nice bonus to have her turn it on in the back row this late in the season.”

Next up for the Saints is the two-day Dorian Harris Tournament, which they host in the Mt. Hood gym today and Saturday. Participants, all NWAC community college teams, include Columbia Basin, Centralia, Chemeketa, Clackamas, Everett, Highline, Lower Columbia, Skagit Valley, Tacoma, Umpqua, and Wenatchee Valley.

The Saints, now in fourth place in the South with a 3-5 record (13-22 overall), open the two-day tourney against Centrailia at 2 p.m. today, before taking on Columbia Basin at 6 p.m.

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