By Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – Growing up Colby Greene tried just about every sport she could but there was something about volleyball that stood out to the West High senior.

What exactly was it that initially hooked Greene on the sport?  

Was it the pace of the game or the team work on the court?

Not exactly.   

“I’m a loud happy person I guess so cheering after every point I liked that,” Greene explained. “I thought that was super fun.”

Whatever her reasoning, sticking with volleyball has proved to be a wise decision for Greene.

A three-year starter the 6-foot-3 Greene has developed into a leader for Class 5A No. 11 West High (22-15) and one of the top hitters in the state.

Greene ranks 12th in Class 5A with 290 kills entering Monday’s Class 5A, Region 7 title game at sixth-ranked Dubuque Hempstead (27-7).

“She is definitely the go-to and kids look up to her,” West High coach Scott Sanders said. “They love supporting her and they love when she puts the ball down. That sparks everybody.”

The boisterous celebrations fit the cheerful Greene well when she started the sport.

What else has fit Greene and her outgoing personality well is the role of senior leader at West High.

After pounding more than 300 kills in more of a supporting role on state tournament teams the past two seasons Greene became the unquestioned leader for the Women of Troy this fall.

She has blossomed in her expanded role as a leader on and off the court.

“She likes to be the one in charge and we want her to be the one in charge,” Sanders said. “She definitely has one of those personalities that people like.”

As one of only two returning players with varsity experience on a West High squad with a first-year head coach the off-court leadership from Greene has been key this season.

The same personality that drew Greene to the post-point celebrations of volleyball make her a natural leader.

“I think it’s fun having people look up to you, that’s a spot I like to be in,” Greene said. “I talk to everybody in the team and I think we have pretty good relationships. It’s a lot of fun having people come to you if they have questions or need help with something.”

Greene has been equally important in her role as on-court leader.

Some players struggle as the go-to hitter that become the focus of defensive attention.

Greene has put together her best season under those circumstances, posting career highs in kills and kills per set (3.22) and blocks (71) all while hitting a career-high .300.  

She is playing in the back row this season, rankings third on the team in digs with 129 and has 18 ace serves.

“Last year there were more finishers around her but this year she has more control and her serve is more consistent and she is playing in the back row now,” Sanders said. “That helps a lot.”

Each of the first two varsity seasons for Greene have ended with quarterfinal losses at the 5A state tournament.

The mission for Greene as a senior leader is to get her team back to the state tournament with a regional final win over Dubuque Hempstead.

“They are a very good team,” Greene said. “We just need to be ready to play at that high level because they are a really good team.”

After that Greene would like a state tournament win, something that West High hasn’t had since the 2011 state title game.  

“I think it would be pretty sweet to end it like that,” Greene said. “It would mean a lot.”

Class 5A, Region 7 Final

No. 11 West High (22-15) at No. 6 Dubuque Hempstead (27-7)

Where: Dubuque Hempstead

When: Monday, 7 p.m.

Player to watch: Dubuque Hempstead sophomore Jada Wills ranks second in Class 5A with 400 kills and 4.55 kills per set.  

What to Watch: A pair of Mississippi Valley Conference rivals meet for the second time this season as both attempt to extend their streak of consecutive state tournament appearances.

West High won the regular season meeting between the two teams 13-21, 21-16, 15-11 back on Sept. 23 in Dubuque.

The Women of Troy swept Davenport North in the Region 7 semifinals and are seeking a fourth straight trip to the state tournament.

Hempstead swept cross-town rival Dubuque Senior in the regional semifinals last week and has one of the most productive hitting duos in Class 5A in Wills and senior Amber Cooksley (260 kills).

The Mustangs have won 10 of their last 12 matches, dropping just six sets during that stretch.