Saint’s volleyball team must get vocal

All the cheers, chants and yells roaring from the MHCC gymnasium at Wednesday night’s volleyball practice proved one thing.

The Saints volleyball team has the lip service on the court to get the job done. Something head coach Chelsie Speer says has not carried into matches, and has largely contributed to recent losses.

“We didn’t play as a team, there was no communicating, and there was a lot of people looking around and not doing their jobs,” said head coach Chelsie Speer Wednesday, referring to the Saints recent loss to the Oregon Tech Owls October, 4.

The Saints fell to the Owls in three straight games (25-21, 25-23, 25-16), after a close second game where the Saints lead by five points. But, a lack of communication and momentum allowed for a quick comeback for the Owls that bled into an easy game three victory and a match loss for the Saints.

With a roster of six returners, experience on the court is not an issue for the Saints. But, recent player injuries and position changes has caused the team, at times to stay in their own heads and panic when under pressure said Speer.

“They are going into panic mode when things don’t go right,” she added.
Something Speer says may be a symptom of the Saints second place finish in last season’s NWAACC tournament.

“I think the reminder of that can get in the way for the sophomores. To get so close and not take it, the girls don’t want to feel that again and they are worried about where they are going to end, and aren’t playing one match at a time.” said Speer.

September 30, the Saints faced the Linn-Benton Roadrunner’s on the road and fell to the Roadrunner’s for the second time this season, losing the match in three-straight games (25-20,25-21,25-12).

Again, a lack of communication on the floor proved a factor with the Saints who dropped momentum in game three. “It’s one of those strange things, the girls will be vocal at every practice leading up to a match. But once they are on the court and drop the first two games, it’s like there is a lack of fight,” said Speer.

Despite the loss the Saints showed effort with sophomore Devan Belshe and freshmen Casi Johnson leading the offense with eight-match kills each.
The Saints are currently tied with the Clackamas Cougars in the number two seed position in the Southern region with a 3-1 record, and a 13-3 overall record going into tonight’s game against the Cougars who are 3-1 in the Southern region with an 18-10 overall record.

The Saints, who have faced early season adversity, will head to Clackamas tonight with communication being the key objective for success in the Cougar’s house.

“This team needs to somehow keep that mental toughness and learn what being resilient really means. They need to calm down and take it a little at a time,” said Speer.

The Saints’ match against the Cougars tonight will start at 7 p.m.