West Liberty has kept on clicking

It's not often that a team loses a Division-I leader to graduation, and gets better.

'We certainly do miss Molly (Kelly),” West Liberty volleyball coach Ruben Galvan said, referring to the former all-state libero who is now at the University of Iowa. 'But other kids have stepped in and taken that role.”

The results are reflected in the Comets' record (14-0) and ranking (No. 2 in Class 3A) at the season's midpoint.

It wasn't as if Kelly's departure left the Comets - a 2014 state qualifier - bereft of talent. Or leadership.

Sisters Cassedi and Maddie Simon - a setter and defensive specialist - will play at Boise State University next year. Cassedi is averaging 8.71 assists per set; Maddie collects 5.24 digs per set.

Cassedi also ranks third on the team in kills behind seniors Hailey Daufeldt (3.38 kills per set, .389 kill efficiency) and Audra Bridenstine (2.53, .279).

The Comets hit the ground running with a 5-0 start at the Grinnell Invitational on Aug. 29, and haven't slowed down. They own a set record of 32-3 and, at 3-0 in divisional matches, are tied for the River Valley Conference South Division lead with West Branch.

'We gained a lot of confidence early,” Galvan said. 'This is a team with some very high goals, and they hold each other accountable to reach them. They want to win the conference championship. They want to get back to the state tournament and get further than they did last year.”

The Comets host West Branch on Oct. 6.

TUESDAY'S A BIG DAY

Area conference and divisional races are beginning to take shape, and Tuesday is a pivotal night in the MVC Mississippi Division and the Wamac West Division.

Despite a 6-7 overall record, Iowa City High stands atop the MVC Mississippi at 3-0, with Dubuque Hempstead (11-5, 3-1) and Cedar Rapids Prairie (12-1, 2-1) just behind. Prairie visits the Little Hawks on Tuesday.

Wamac West leadership will be determined the same night at Independence, where the Mustangs (14-4, 4-0) host Marion (15-3, 4-0).

HUDSON IS STATE KILL LEADER

Union junior Megan Hudson is the state leader in kills, according to QuikStats Iowa.

Hudson, who stands 5-foot-11, has put down 292 kills in 58 sets, a rate of 5.03 per set. She sports a .283 kill efficiency.

The Knights, who do not have a senior on their roster, are 10-6 and in pursuit of their sixth straight state-tournament appearance.

Taylor Huber of Alburnett is ninth in kills, with 216.

In other statistical notes, Starmont freshman Hayley Goedken has not missed a serve in 133 attempts. And Iowa City Regina's Mackenzie Conlon is second statewide in digs per set (6.52).

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com