No one saw them coming—or did they?

Off to state in their camo jerseys, West Delaware earned its fourth straight volleyball state qualification after securing a win over Vinton-Shellsburg on Tuesday, Oct. 26, in Cedar Falls. 

The Hawks will take on Unity Christian in their quarterfinal match on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse at 10 a.m. 

Seniors Carlee Smith and Ella Koloc have been playing for head coach Brett Mather for the last four years, and they have since become leaders within the team. 

Smith became the team’s setter her junior year, a position she never expected to take on. She tallied 1,002 assists in her first season. 

“At first (being the setter) took me for a spin,” Smith said of her new position. In spite of the challenges it presented, she embraced the new opportunity. 

Koloc has also achieved some goals she has been striving for since her freshman season on the team. 

“I got 1,000 digs as a junior,” Koloc said. “I also beat the school record for digs this year at the beginning of the season.”

Their hard work and dedication throughout the last four years hasn’t gone unnoticed by Mather.

“They continue to want more each day,” Mather said. “It’s rewarding to watch the growth. They have become coaches on the court.” 

Smith and Koloc are leading the team in their respective positions this season. Smith has 1,044 assists and Koloc has 458 digs going into the state tournament. 

Not only has Smith learned the importance of being a team leader as the setter, she has also learned about the importance of relying on the team.

“We all believe in each other,” Smith said. “I’m more than confident in each and everyone of them.”