Coble, Kissell sign letters of intent

WAYLAND — Among a group of WACO seniors signing their collegiate letters of intent last week were two standouts on the Warrior volleyball and girls basketball teams.

Seniors Grace Coble and Ellah Kissell each signed. Coble will be joining the Buena Vista volleyball program, and Kissell is off to Kirkwood for basketball.

Coble is coming off another stellar year as starting setter for the WACO volleyball team. She tallied a ridiculous 600 assists on the season, and still collected 117 kills, 189 digs and 28 blocks.

WACO’s Grace Coble (middle) poses after signing with Buena Vista volleyball last week. Alongside her are mother Carrie Coble (left) and father Jay Coble (right). (Submitted photo)

Coble was also one of the top servers for the Warriors, finishing the season with a 95.9 percent serve efficiency and 55 aces.

Coble will join a Buena Vista squad that went 13-12 last season.

“Coach (Will) Baumann is just an incredible coach,” Coble told Slaten Swords of KILJ. “When I talked to him on the phone and then when I went on a visit, he was the reason I wanted to play volleyball there.”

Coble, the daughter of outgoing coach Jay Coble, also reflected on a season that saw the Warriors go 27-7 and advance to the regional semifinals.

“I feel like, from two years ago to last year, we've really grown,” Coble said. “We've had a lot more chemistry throughout the year, and it was a great experience. I'm sad to say that it was my last.”

Kissell will join the Kirkwood girls basketball team after learning WACO to an 18-5 overall record. She had another huge year, averaging 22.2 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game.

Ellah Kissell (middle) signs her letter of intent to play basketball at Kirkwood University. Next to her are mother Melissa Kissell (left) and Paul Kissell (right). (Submitted photo)

“I really liked Kirkwood's program,” Kissell said. “Their coaches and staff are amazing, and I knew if I go to Kirkwood, I'll be challenged the most.”

Kissell says she has plans to stay for two years at Kirkwood before transferring. She says it wasn’t an easy decision figuring out where she would end up.

“The process was so hard,” Kissell said. “There were so many college visits I went on, and they all felt good. But at the end of the day, I picked the place where I thought I would grow the most at.”

Kissell and Coble signed at the same time as football standouts Simeon Reichenbach and Drew Diers, as well as track and field stand out Avery Waterhouse. The story on Waterhouse’s signing will be in Friday’s edition of the Union.