Saints volleyball sweeps Storm and prepares for NWAACCs

It was another one-two-three straight-game victory for the MHCC volleyball team Wednesday night over the Chemeketa Storm at home, making the Saints co-champions of the Southern Region.

The victory (23-13, 25-19, 24-16) tied the Saints with the Linn-Benton Roadrunners for the number one position in the Southern Region with a 9-1 record. But the win over the Storm, who are out of playoff position in the number four seat in the South with a 3-7 record, didn’t come without an all-out effort by the Saints in game three.

The Saints, who dominated games one and two by effortlessly racking up leads by as many as eight points, struggled with errors in game three, all but handing free points to the Storm.

“We played down to our competition,” said sophomore middle blocker Demi Belshe, who contributed six kills against the Cougars. “We let up and got comfortable, and that can’t happen.”

Still, the Saints got it done with large contributions from sophomores Devan Belshe who slammed down 12 kills, and Rylie Engleson, who had nine kills against the Cougars.

The win, which followed the previous week’s victory over region rival the Clackamas Cougars Nov. 4, (25-13,25-19,25-16), helped the Saints solidify themselves as a favorite to take the NWAACC Championship title this season. That championship has slipped out of reach for the team in each of the past two years as the Saints finished second each time.

It is a painful reminder that hangs over the heads of sophomores like Demi Belshe. “I was one of those freshmen last year. Now I know what the sophomores were feeling. To even think of falling just a hair short again, I can’t imagine,” she said.

The NWAACC tournament, which will take place in the MHCC gymnasium Nov. 17-20, will provide the Saints the comfort of playing on home court and the support of the community. Still, nothing is being taken for granted, with the beginning of the tournament marking a clean slate for each team. Regular season records will count for nothing. “It’s a fresh start for every team. You don’t go into the tournament and expect to beat any team in three games,” said head coach Chelsie Speer.

For the Saints, who began the season on shaky ground due to injuries, position changes and a lack of communication on the floor, heading into the NWAACC tournament as the number one seed position is an accomplishment in itself.

“We have all the skill to get it done,” said Demi Belshe. “We know now that communication is one hundred percent controllable. You may have an off night in a match, but communication we can control, we can’t get in our own heads.” Belshe is one of the MHCC leaders who during matches can be counted on for her on-the-floor vocal encouragement of teammates.

Wednesday night’s game against the Cougars was sophomore night, giving the second-year players one last opportunity to reflect on the season and the time they’ve spent at Hood.

“We’ve become a big family, I’ve made friends for the rest of my life. This is an amazing program, so no matter what happens, I’ve become a stronger person because of it,” Belshe said.

The NWAACC tournament will take place at the MHCC gymnasium Nov. 17-20, with a 9 a.m. start time day one. More details can be found on NWAACC website.

 

Achievements

Sophomore Demi Belshe was honored as an NWAACC All-Acedemic member last week. Belshe, along with 29 other volleyball players, was recognized for her academic achievement. Each award winner must be of sophomore standing and hold at least a 3.25 G.P.A. Belshe is the only Mt. Hood athlete to receive the award and holds a 3.6 G.P.A.