Comets are short on height, high on hopes

For such a small team, the West Liberty Comets have a big, big dream. And they're not afraid to share.

'Molly Kelly was the first one to say it,” said West Liberty Coach Ruben Galvan. 'After the way we played at summer camp and summer leagues, she said, ‘This team has the potential to win a state championship.'”

That won't be determined for a couple months, but here's what we know now - despite a lack of height, the Comets have backed down from nobody.

Class 3A ninth-rated West Liberty swept Wilton on Tuesday, improving to 12-0 overall, 2-0 in the River Valley Conference South Division. And the wins aren't coming against schools its size.

The Comets claimed the title at the Muscatine Invitational tournament Saturday. Of their 12 wins, three have come against 5A foes, six against 4A teams.

It's not as if this comes as a surprise that are in volleyball's inner circle. More than one coach from the Wamac Conference mentioned before the season that the Comets were better than their ranking.

Now, about the height issue. West Liberty does not have a player taller than 5-foot-8. It hasn't presented a problem yet.

'We've been able to overcome it because we have a setter (Cassedi Simon) who is a threat herself,” Galvan said. 'People have to focus on her, and it creates openings for other hitters.”

Hailey Daufeldt leads the Comets with 3.46 kills per game, followed by Audra Bridenstine and Simon and 2.08 apiece. All three are juniors

Simon owns a kill efficiency of .524 and also averages 8.38 assists per set.

The leader of this outfit, though, is Kelly, a senior libero who has committed to the University of Iowa. Kelly averages 4.92 digs per set.

'She gives us a lot of stability in the back row,” Galvan said. 'She's an amazing talent and has a lot of leadership capability.”

STELLAR SATURDAY AT WEST, LINN-MAR

Iowa City West and Linn-Mar will host high-caliber, 12-team tournaments Saturday.

Six ranked teams will gather at West for the Caroline Found Extravaganza. Included are 5A second-rated West Des Moines Dowling, 5A No. 5 Ankeny, 3A No. 2 Mount Vernon and 1A Fort Madison Holy Trinity, which is led by 2013 state player of the year Mikaela Foecke.

Class 3A top-ranked Solon, 4A No. 3 Marion and 5A No. 7 Linn-Mar headline the field at Linn-Mar.

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