One family comprises half of Comets' lineup

WEST LIBERTY -- Three sisters. One big opportunity.

"We've been waiting for this (season) for a long time," said Shannon Kelly, the eldest of three sibling starters on the West Liberty High School varsity volleyball team.

"We're trying to make the most of this one year. It's our only chance to do it together."

When the Comets' starters take the floor, half of the lineup is comprised of the Kelly girls.

There's Shannon, the quiet senior setter. There's Marissa, the undersized but capable junior outside hitter. And there's Molly, the chatty freshman libero.

"It's pretty unique," said Comets Coach Ruben Galvan. "They're great kids to have around. They bring a lot of positive energy to the team."

And it's a good team. West Liberty (9-3 overall, 4-0 Cedar Valley Conference) is ranked 13th in Class 2A.

Each of the sisters do something different.

Shannon is the quarterback, averaging 8.2 assists per game. She's a leader without being vocal.

"She's the quietest of the three," Galvan said. You wouldn't think a setter could lead a team by being so quiet, but she's very positive and believes in all of her hitters."

One of those is Marissa, an outside who averages 2.13 kills per game (third-most on the team) and sports a .231 kill efficiency despite standing 5 feet, 5 1/2 inches.

"I've been hitting off Shannon a long time," Marissa said. "She knows how I like the sets. We just have a connection." 

Galvan said Marissa "came in a lot stronger this year, and has added some inches to her vertical."

Molly is the youngest. But she's possibly the most experienced, playing in the Iowa Rockets' program.

And she's probably the most outgoing.

"She's very outspoken and likes to share her knowledge with everyone," Galvan said. "She has a lot of confidence, and she's one of the leaders on the court."

When Shannon missed a tournament earlier this season with injury, Molly stepped in as setter.

"I love playing with my sisters. They're the ones that started me in volleyball. Shannon was the first one to introduce me to Coach. We've always talked about this year." said Molly, who stands second on the team with 3.43 digs per game. "I'm not the quickest person, but I think I'm really good at reading. I try to get to everything I can."

"I love our team a lot. I want to do well so badly."

The sisters, predictably, talk volleyball a lot at home.

"We get home from practice, and we talk about how it went," Marissa said. "We can be honest, and we don't take things personally."

"We can push each other without hurting anyone's feelings," Shannon said. "We want to make sure we reach our full potential."

West Liberty has reached the state tournament four times, most recently in 1998.

"This is our chance," Marissa said. "We've all been waiting for this."