Mt Hood Wins 2011 Volleyball Championship

Championship Games
Mt. Hood def Walla Walla (25-15,25-20 ,27-25) box
Mt. Hood def Walla Walla (25-19,25-11) box

Gresham, OR- The Mt Hood Saints needed to beat Walla Walla twice to win first title since 2007. The Saints had made it to the championship game the two previous years, but took second both times. Coming into the championship match, needing two wins over the Warriors seemed a daunting task. From the first serve, Mt Hood was up to the task. The Saints swept Walla Walla in three straight during the first match to force the “IF” game, and then proceeded to win the next two sets in the “IF” match.

In the first match, the Saints defense proved to be difficult for Walla Walla to crack. Mt Hood forced Walla Walla to commit 25 attack errors while MHCC committed only 12. Tournament MVP Rylie Engleson directed the Hood attack registering 32 assists, 14 digs and three blocks. Walla Walla was led by Brittany Dominguez who led all hitters with 17 kills. Kayla Hanus (WWCC) had a match leading 39 assists and 22 digs.

In the “IF” match, Walla Walla kept close to Mt Hood in the first set, keeping the score close until the end when Mt Hood pulled away for a 25-19 victory. In the second set, Mt Hood continued to get hotter on defense and offense and smothered Walla Walla. Mt Hood hit .500 in the second set registering 12 kills, 0 hitting errors on 24 attempts.

The title is Mt. Hood's ninth overall.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Most Valuable Player

FIRST TEAM
Hannah Bell, Linn-Benton
Demi Belshe, Mt Hood
Devan Belshe, Mt Hood
Brittany Dominguez, Walla Walla
Kayla Hanus, Walla Walla
Kate Hart, Spokane

SECOND TEAM
Natalie Dwight, Mt Hood
Julianna Evola, Linn-Benton
Libby Kern, Walla Walla
Brigitte Lowe, Spokane
Casi Johnson, Mt Hood
Desiree Nielson, Walla Walla