Volleyball remains undefeated after 5-set win over Roadrunners

The Saints’ volleyball team continued to roll through the Southern Region of the NWAACC last Friday.

A five set victory over the Linn Benton Roadrunners (25-16, 18-25, 25-19, 24-26, 15-12) kept Mt. Hood undefeated in the South, improving to 4-0 on the young season.

After sweeping their way through their first three wins, the Saints were pressed for the full five sets last week.

Alternating wins throughout the first four games, MHCC ultimately earned a hard fought win.

Asked who played well, head coach Chelsie Speer mentioned sophomores Tori Kemper (27 kills), Alyssa Hall (32 assists) and Kelsey Merritt (33 digs on the evening), as well as a notable contribution by freshman setter Morgan Entze, aiding the Saints with 27 assists.

Only returning six players from last season, two redshirts and four players who got playing time, the team has collectively stepped up as a unit to continue their reign at the top of the South.

However, Speer did mention the returners as team leaders. “Kelsey Merritt, Alyssa Hall, both Kylie and Kaycie Kitzmiller, and Maycee Abendschein have all done such a nice job enforcing our tradition of hard work leading to success.”

With a strong start the team looks to repeat last year’s great finish. “Our expectations each year end with the same decisive goal: win the Southern

Region and consecutively winning the NWAACC title,” said Speer.

With the road only getting tougher, Speer noted that their toughest competition outside the South seems to be Blue Mountain, Highline, Spokane and Walla Walla (who they’ve already played and beaten this season: 25-20, 18-25, 15-11).

The Saints put their undefeated record on the line as they welcome the Clackamas Cougars to MHCC for their “Dig Pink” match tonight at 7 p.m.