NASELLE, Wash. – The Comets have tied for the Pacific B League volleyball title the past two seasons for Coach Debbie Denny, and no one will be surprised if they don’t “three-peat.”

Naselle has four returning starters and a plethora of talent waiting in the wings to take over for all-league graduates Annie Herrold and Kelli Revis.

Sisters Katherine Herrold at outside and middle hitter and Sylvia Herrold at middle hitter will bring scoring punch for the Comet front line. Brittanie Vaughn is a strong outside hitter and Jamie Bighill, at setter, is more than capable of running the Naselle offense again. Both move very well on defense.

Klinger ready to setJennie Klinger played at the varsity level last season and is an outstanding setter. Brittany Pellervo and Cheryl Steppe at middle hitter, and Ashley Ahlstrom and Kellyn Pakenen at outside hitter, bring junior varsity experience and success and they will fill open positions in the front line and add depth to the Comets’ attack.

Newcomers Erin Saari, Chelsea Johnson, and Jamie Gilbert will also compete for starting positions and could gain experience on the JV team early in the season. Freshmen who will contribute are Jackie Anderson, Emma Fauver, Risa Fletcher, Jerrica Juarez, Shelby Leeland, Chrystal Neprud and Becky Rostad.

Denny is in her 14th year at the helm of the Comet volleyball team and has coached seven seasons at the middle school level. She coached Naselle’s varsity team for 11 seasons then took several years off when her children were young. Now she’s headed into her third season since her return.

Denny feels South Bend, North Beach, Raymond and Valley will be the biggest challenge.

Last season, South Bend, Raymond and Toutle Lake went to the state tourney in Yakima, Wash., and all three should be tough again this season.