On game days, the volleyball huddle at Naselle is a spirited place, led by Head Coach Rebekah Wirkkala, second from left.

If the bench during Naselle’s volleyball season seemed a tad crowded this season, it was for a lovely reason.

One Comet wasn’t on the roster yet.

That’s because Head Coach Rebekah Wirkkala was pregnant.

And the mother of two boys was beyond excited to be expecting — a girl.

“The girls have been great with it, they have made it really special,” said Wirkkala, who shed tears after her team lost at state to end their season. “They are just great kids.”

When practice began in August, senior captain MyLinh Schell was among those delighted with the news. “We love it. That baby’s going to have 23 ‘sisters,’” she said. “They did the ‘reveal’ during softball and most of our volleyball girls play softball, so everyone is so excited. We all can’t wait for the baby to be there.”

Assistant Coach Hanna Higginbotham — who has a rich college volleyball background, in addition to coaching at Naselle — was ready to step up as needed.

As practices got underway, Wirkkala said she was delighted for the support system.

“The girls have been so amazing at making her feel so loved already, with belly rubs and talking to her.”

Two dates were on the calendar. Volleyball season would end at state Nov. 14.

And the due date for the little one was Dec. 7 (just three weeks and three days afterward).

The season ended with 12 wins and seven loses. Not even defeat in the first round at Yakima could dampen Wirkkala’s praise for her team.

“This season has been such a gift, their camaraderie and their unity and their cohesiveness,” the coach said. “They have been playing like a team all season, and building each other up. And that’s the gift.”

Schell and juniors Brooke Davis and Mylee Dunagan, as well as sophomore Aubrey Katyryniuk were among the coach’s allies for four months.

“A lot of it is attributed to MyLinh and Brooke and Mylee, my captains, and ‘joyful Aubrey.’ They just bring a calm and, of course, it’s fun and they make me laugh a lot.”

Wirkkala said she and her husband, Lamar, consider the coming addition to their family as, “our rainbow baby, a gift from God.”

She added, “Our two boys, Sawyer (12) and Carter (9), are eager to meet her and be her protective big brothers.”