MHCC VOLLEYBALL - Interview with Taylor Young & Peyton Ochoa

This 2025 season was quite a journey for Mt. Hood volleyball team. After training hard the whole year and giving everything they had on the court, the Saints finished their year with a thrilling 3 sets to 1 win against visiting Chemeketa Community College on Nov. 5. Both teams battled, point after point, but the Saints showed great teamwork and energy in their final home game.

The whole season was full of growth, great moments and a strong effort put in by each and every player. While they missed the Northwest Athletic Conference playoffs, the Saints ended their season with pride and a strong performance that showed how much they improved.

The players worked hard the whole season, supported each other and never stopped fighting. Now they are looking forward to next season, coming back stronger, more experienced, and ready to chase even bigger goals.

The Advocate caught up with two Saints players for their thoughts:

Q: Today I’m here with… 

A: Taylor Young.

Q: What year are you in? 

A: I’m a freshman.

Q: What position do you play? 

A: I’m a middle blocker.

Q: I saw your amazing blocking during the match. How are you feeling about that? 

A: I’m very happy that I could do like the exact same things I’ve been practicing during training.

Q: Can you describe your journey in becoming a volleyball athlete? 

A: I’ve been playing since middle school and I’ve always loved volleyball. I’ve had amazing coaches throughout my journey, they trained me a lot, and I’m where I am today because of them. I’m very thankful.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring volleyball players? 

A: Keep working hard, stay consistent, trust your team and trust your coach. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, they help you grow.

Q: How do you handle pressure during critical moments in a game? 

A: I just forget what I missed earlier and I just think, like, I will get the next one for sure. Staying calm is the most important thing during the match.

Q: How do you maintain your school workload while playing volleyball? 

A: We have group study sessions, and our coach really supports us academically. She gives us a good schedule and makes sure to help us stay successful in school. All I wanna say is, study together with friends at the library – brainstorming together with friends (is) the most effective and important [approach].

Q: What study tips would you recommend to other student-athletes? 

A: Stay organized, study with teammates, and use the library. Work together, it makes studying easier.

Thank you so much for your time, and congratulations on winning today.

---

Q: Today I’m here with… 

A: Peyton Ochoa.

Q: What year are you in? 

A: I’m a sophomore.

Q: What position do you play? 

A: I’m a defensive specialist.

Q. Can you describe your journey in becoming a volleyball athlete?

A. I been playing for a while but I started getting more competitive in probably my sophomore year of high school and I decided I want to play in college, and that brought me here.

Q. What do you think are the most important skills you need to be successful in volleyball?

A. Definitely it is a team sport, so you need to going work together with a lot of people and also it is very much a mindset, like a mental game. So, being strong with your mindset and being competitive!

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring volleyball players? 

A: Just put you self out there, go try out for the team. If you think you are not gonna make it, go to summer camp and learn from the coach and your teammates and keep improving your skill.

Q: How do you handle pressure during a match? 

A: Personally, I feel like this can change [from person to person], but for me I just tried not to think about it. I just try to treat it as like any other point, just like knowing or trusting on training – trusting you know what you’re supposed to do.

Q: So, you just think as if you’re still training? 

A: Yes, it is just kind of like trusting your training.

Q: Can you describe your pre-game routine? 

A: I always have a good meal before the game because we have long games. (Also) drinking water is important and as a team, we set goals together in the locker room.

Q: How do you maintain your school workload while playing volleyball? 

A: Definitely, team study hall helps me to keep me on top of my schoolwork and staying organized.

Q: What study tips do you recommend for student-athletes? 

A: Set a side time every day to study, and if you are traveling on the weekend, try to get your work done a week or a few days prior so you can really focus on the sport, [so] you don’t have to worry about the assignments.