After losing four straight sets to neighboring rival Wilton, the West Liberty High School volleyball team put it all together in the four-team finals of the River Valley Conference volleyball tournament in Wilton Thursday evening, winning the final two sets to claim the title in a true come-from-behind scramble.
West Liberty, which had lost in three straight sets in a match with the state’s number two ranked Beavers in a regular season match to lose their first loss of the season, lost the opening round title match to the hosts in a tight match before winning the next two sets to take the title. The Comets defeated Wilton 16-25, 25-20, 15-11.
The Comets headed into the night eyeing a rematch against Wilton but to get there they had to handle the Monticello Panthers, representing the North Division. The Panthers,15-9 on the season, were looking to stake their claim for the RVC title.
West Liberty made quick work of their foes in the opening set 25-12 and continued their dominance in the second set, capturing the victory 25-16, to take the match.
Sophomore Brooklyn Buysse claimed 24 assists in the winning effort, setting up a hitting showcase for junior Macy Daufeldt and senior Martha Pace who recorded 13 and 12 kills respectively. Monica Morales continued to solidify herself as the rock in the Comet defense, as the sophomore Libero recorded 18 digs. Averi Goodale served two aces for the Comets, as did teammates Daufeldt, Pace and Morales from the service line.
As fate would have it, the Comets would get their grudge match against Wilton, who moved swiftly past Casacde in their opening round of tournament play.
Wilton had hosted West Liberty earlier in the season in a match of the undefeateds. The Beavers swept the Comets that night 25-17, 25-9 and 25-23.
The RVC finals match began the same way, with Wilton cruising to a 6-1 lead in set one. West Liberty pulled to within three at 15-12, but the Beavers used a 9-3 run to distance themselves en route to a 25-16 win — one set from completing a season sweep of the entire RVC without losing a game.
The second set was tight. At 10-10, Daufeldt smashed a kill after the longest rally of the night, which seemed to fuel some belief on the Comet sideline. The teams were still tied 16-16 and, after a Drake kill at 19-18 West Liberty, the Comets took a time out.
West Liberty came back to the court and finished the set on a 6-2 run to tie the match with a 25-20 win.
At 7-6 West Liberty in the third, Buysse caught the Wilton defense napping on a set over the net for a quick point. Pace followed with a kill and later Daufeldt hit a kill to give the Comets an 11-7 lead en route to the 15-11 win to claim the tournament championship.
The Comets were given the RVC tournament title plaque, while Wilton was also presented with a plaque for the regular season crown.
The Comets are 24-6 and ranked No. 8 in Class 3A. Wilton is ranked No. 2 in 2A and is 29-3 heading into Regional play.
“It didn’t matter to us who was on the other side, it was a huge win that built a lot of momentum moving forward,” Comet coach Ruben Galvan said of the title win.
Buysse notched 28 more assists for the Comets in the night while Daufeldt recorded 14 kills, Morales swiped 16 digs and Pace recorded the Comets only block. Rylee Goodale would be joined by pace, Daufeldt, and Buysse with aces in the championship match.
“This was not a good loss. This is our home court, our gym. We should be comfortable here. We beat them here," said Wilton head coach Brenda Grunder of the loss.
“Our serve-receive fell off in the last two sets. We struggled and I’m disappointed in that,” said Grunder. “That pulled our hitters off the net. Against a team like West Liberty, they’ll take advantage and keep running.”
Editor's note: Wilton-Durant Advocate News Editor Derek Sawvell contributed to this story.