WAVERLY - She doesn't set, serve or spike, but that doesn't matter to EaVon Woodin.

Waverly-Shell Rock's coach sees plenty of value in 5-foot-5 senior libero Megan Kittleson.

"The pass starts everything," says Woodin, who's in her 21st season as head coach. "The pass is the most important part of volleyball."

Behind a strong service return, in addition to her ability to direct traffic from the back row, Kittleson has laid the foundation toward Class 3A's second-rated Go-Hawks' 11-2 start. She passed at an 80 percent efficiency during last weekend's tournament championship in Webster City.

"Each year she is able to read the defense better," Woodin said of the third-year starter and two-time first-team all-conference libero. "She covers more area and we've given her more responsibilities."

During a Go-Hawks' match, 'You, you, you' and 'Over and out' are just a few of the calls that Kittleson projects across the court. Also a standout soccer midfielder, she's become an effective communicator.

"I love being on the court at all times," said Kittleson, who takes a break only when her turn in the service rotation comes up. "I'm one of those girls that never really shuts up when I'm out there."

While vocal, the floor general is also receptive to her teammates' advice.

"She is always looking for people to tell her things that she can do," said honorable mention all-state sophomore setter Kinsey Caldwell. "She just wants to keep getting better.

"I feel comfortable telling her how I want my passes. She'll just listen and work hard to make it better. When her passes are on, we're unbeatable - our front row will finish it."

The Go-Hawks' attack has a full arsenal of weapons at its disposal, including second-team all-stater Rachel Peth and third-team all-stater Morgan Kuhrt. W-SR stormed to a 42-5 record last season before losing in a four-set regional final against eventual state champion Marion.

"We'd already started talking about this season when we ended last season," Kittleson said.

The Go-Hawks made a routine of open gyms and offseason weightlifting, in addition to attending team camps at locales such as Nebraska and Iowa State.

"That helped us become closer, and it helped us develop into better players where we knew how quick the game is with the better teams out there," Kittleson said. "I would have to say this has been one of the closest teams I've ever been on."

With several returning contributors, the Go-Hawks entered this season rated No. 2 despite their lack of state tournament experience. Kittleson and company, however, have embraced the high expectations.

"Once the preseason rankings came out, we were all pretty jacked about it," Kittleson said. "We knew that we can be that good of a team and we just want to prove it to everybody."

Kittleson was in junior high when Waverly-Shell Rock last reached the state tournament in 2003. She remembers making the trip to Cedar Rapids with Kayla Pickett and Holly Kwikkel, who had sisters on that team.

"At that age, I thought it was the coolest thing ever," Kittleson recalled. "I knew along with the rest of the girls on our team that that's where we wanted to end up."