MHCC VOLLEYBALL STARS

Standouts from this Season

Molly McCoy

There are many different labels that can be used to describe Molly McCoy: volleyball player, setter, No. 8, captain, student-athlete, and many more.

But beyond these titles and the many feats she has accomplished so far, she shines as a leader, a role model, and, most of all, as a friend.

McCoy is a sophomore setter on the Mt. Hood Community College volleyball team, which has had an impressive season so far. Individually, she has already surpassed 1,000 career assists, won a “Setter of the Week” award in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC), and is a two-time captain for the Saints.

McCoy’s teammates describe her as: “funny, kind, hardworking, and passionate.” She is very close with all her teammates, both in and out of volleyball. McCoy’s teammates have chosen her as a captain two years in a row now, and trust her as a leader.

Head Coach Kirsten “Kirt” Day had this to say about McCoy: “In our match against Linn-Benton on September 25th, Molly secured 1,000 assists in her less than two-year career here at Mt. Hood. This is an exceptional accomplishment for any setter, especially when a season has just started. Molly is one of our captains of the team, and she leads with enthusiasm and by great example.”

McCoy is from Beavercreek just south of Oregon City and went to Oregon City High School. She played on the Northwest Elite Volleyball Club ever since the club was first coming up, and that club helped her to become the player she is today. McCoy’s time at Northwest aided her in her leadership skills, volleyball fundamentals, and really helped her to keep her love for the sport.

McCoy played for the top Northwest Elite team in her last year of club alongside fellow Mt. Hood player, No. 1, Ashlyn Watt. Both ended up committing to the Saints after coming to an open gym session prior to the 2023 season.

McCoy’s mother, Tammy Hatcher-McCoy, also played volleyball in college and played the setter position, as well! The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as McCoy continues to make her mother and the rest of her family proud.

FINAL PUSH

The Saints had a good start in their preseason matches, with their final non-conference record being 11-8. The volleyball team also had a historic “NWAC Crossover” Tournament win in pre-season, beating some top ranked teams.

Now there are just four matches left, and Mt. Hood is battling to grab one of the four playoff spots in the South Region of the conference.

The Yoshida Events Center action include matches against Umpqua Community College this Friday, Nov. 1, and the regular season finale against Clark College on Nov. 8.
Both matches, where McCoy and Saints co-captain Nyah Johnson will lead the way, start at 6 p.m.

Ashlyn Watts

Sophomore libero Ashlyn Watt has had an absolutely incredible season so far for the Mt. Hood volleyball team. Coming from a small, 1A-division high school, she has never been able to attract the attention she is finally now receiving.

Watt has been named the Northwest Athletic Conference and its South Region Defensive Player of the Week nearly every single week this 2024 volleyball season – not to mention the many times she earned the same awards last year during her freshman season.

She has accomplished 1,000 career digs, which is an incredible feat. Her stats just this season have also been nothing short of phenomenal: She has been at the top of the NWAC leaderboard in digs-per-set all through the 2024 season and is leading in total digs by over 200.

On top of all of this, she is a supportive teammate, an amazing friend and person, and continues to set incredible standards and examples for everyone around her.

Watt herself often says she wouldn’t be able to accomplish what she has without the incredible support of her Saints teammates, and says she loves them all so much.

In an article posted to NWACSports.com, MHCC Head Coach Kirsten “Kirt” Day says this about Watt: “Ashlyn is truly a force to be reckoned with. She is without a doubt the best libero I have ever coached. She reads and anticipates the hitter/play so well and reacts quickly without regard of her body. She is one of a kind and we are very lucky to have her.”

For those who may not know, a libero is sort of a super-sub, who replaces (and is replaced by) only a single player in any set within a match. The libero is considered a back-line player who cannot spike or hit any other “attack” shot while in the game.

Watt has achieved numbers that are extraordinary, especially for athletes at the junior/two-year college level, and has set records and new standards here at Mt. Hood. 

She has been nominated to be an AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) All-American twice now, which may be her greatest possible achievement yet, but who knows what else might come?

The Saints star is from Oregon City, and attended North Clackamas Christian High School. She is an all-around athlete, as she competed in swimming and track alongside her volleyball career throughout her high school years, playing on varsity for volleyball all four years. In the latter sport, she earned all-league first team her sophomore, junior, and senior year and was also a two-time defensive MVP.

Watt also played club volleyball for Northwest Elite alongside MHCC teammate Molly McCoy. Watt was on the top team of NWE each year she played, and looks back on her club experience with great gratitude and pride. 

The duo both ended up committing to play volleyball at Mt. Hood after coming to an open gym session, prior to the 2023 season.

Only four matches remain in the regular season, with home contests against Umpqua Community College and Clark College on Nov. 1 and Nov. 8.

Volleyball schedules are found under the “Athletics” tag on the MHCC home website, or on the MHCC Volleyball social media accounts.

Mackenzie Chappell