The Mt. Hood women’s volleyball team finished their season Wednesday with the same goal they had through the entire season: winning the Southern Region championship.

The team finished first in their region by defeating Clackamas 31-29, 21-30, 34-32, and 30-28. A loss would have dropped the team to third place.

The Saints went 27-14 overall, and 8-4 in league play. Head coach Lena Chan said “Injuries hurt us early in the year, and finally we’re able to play the way that we are capable of.”

The Southern Region this year had success when it came to quality teams. Clackamas was coming off of two straight tournament championships, and still finished last in the division, not qualifying for the conference tournament. Though they finished first in their region, the Saints still have work ahead of them. They will be competing with the Bellevue, Walla-Walla, and Whatcom teams, among others.

Whatcom and Walla-Walla each won 30 games this year and finished one and two in the standings in their respective regions.

Bellevue has home court advantage on their side, hosting the annual NWAACC championship tournament. Key Saints’ players are Jamie Richards and Kelsey DeLaGrange; they have shown steady improvement and have the confidence of their head coach. Chan said, “They have been key players for us lately that step up in big situations.” Richards had 10 kills and 16 digs while DeLaGrange had seven kills and 19 digs in the Saints win over Clackamas.

The team will take their momentum into the NWAACC Championship Tournament, in Bellevue, Wash., Thursday, Nov. 17.