Mt. Hood volleyball focuses on rebuilding

Second-year Mt. Hood head volleyball coach Andrew Clifton was able to recruit his freshmen class this season and build the team as he saw fit after replacing former Saints coach Chelsie Speer, who left for Walla Walla Community College before last season.

Still early in the season, the Saints are 3-9, but according to Clifton, 39, his team is headed in the right direction after finishing last season with a dismal record of 3-7 in the South Region and 13-29 overall.

Clifton’s self-described “unique” style and hands-on approach has given the squad a clear vision of the future and a means to put Mt. Hood back on the NWAC map.

Observations by Samantha Douglas, a 5-foot, 10-inch sophomore setter from Henderson, Nev., point towards a more unified, hardworking and dedicated group, due to coach Clifton’s philosophy.

According to Clifton, the team works together, trusts one another, and ultimately buys into his program.

Some growing pains should be expected, Clifton explained. As he put it, “I don’t hate losing; I just love winning.

“We’re headed in the right direction,” the head coach said. “Chelsie (Speer) left such a large footprint at this program and I am trying to create my own footprint. It just takes time, especially since I am new here (from California) and don’t really know a lot of people. So I recruit a lot all over the place.”

Clifton wants his players to be willing to learn from their mistakes in order to achieve their short-term goal of improvement in the South Region.

The Saints are battle-tested early this year, fighting hard along the way with wins on Sept. 8 against Yakima Valley (25-13, 25-17, 25-18) and on Sept. 11 against Edmonds (25-17, 25-18, 25-14). But, top-ranked rival Blue Mountain has proven to be a stiff challenge, defeating Mt. Hood twice within a week on Sept. 11 and Sept. 14.

These trials have not only built character, but fueled a drive necessary for enduring the long season, Clifton said.

Douglas quickly named the primary difference between this group versus last year’s: “Respect. That is the perfect way to describe what sets us apart from last season,” she said.

The effort these women have put into this team is pretty remarkable, considering they are in the midst of a tough beginning to the year.

After a rigorous recent practice, instead of packing up and heading home, many players stuck around and scrimmaged voluntarily in the Mt. Hood gymnasium.

This is a squad that’s hungry enough to perform at peak levels, whether it is pushed to or not, said its coach.

With proper technique and dedication in place, Clifton has the Saints prepped for a solid season in the South Region, and if they play their cards right, they could be in the mix sooner than later with a playoff run.

Tonight, the Saints host Southwestern Oregon (11-8) in their first conference match of the season, slated for 6 p.m.

Mt. Hood plays again at home on Saturday, against Umpqua (5-13). That match is set for 1 p.m.