Palomar College Women's Basketball Team Thrives with 'Low-Key, Soft-Spoken' Approach

Despite a young roster and injuries, the Comets are 17-7 overall and 8-1 in conference play this season.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Palomar College's women's basketball team, led by head coach Leigh Marshall, is having a strong season despite a roster filled with young, soft-spoken players. The Comets are 17-7 overall and 8-1 in Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play, with their only loss coming by 3 points on the road. While the team lacks a vocal leader, they push each other through hard work and leading by example, creating a tight-knit chemistry. Palomar is headed to the state playoffs for the 11th time under Marshall, who has built the program from the ground up over the past 14 seasons.

Why it matters

Palomar College's women's basketball program has become a consistent contender in the California Community College Athletic Association despite the challenges of rebuilding each season. The team's success highlights the value of a strong coaching staff and player development, as well as the benefits of fostering a collaborative, competitive environment even with a young, unassuming roster.

The details

Palomar's women's basketball team is led by head coach Leigh Marshall, who took over the struggling program in 2010. Despite not having the most talented roster, Marshall has instilled a hard-working, team-first mentality in her players. This season, the Comets are relying on a roster with only two sophomores and no players taller than 5'11", yet they have still managed to go 17-7 overall and 8-1 in conference play. Key contributors include sophomore guards Kylee Trujillo and Kailani Flournoy, as well as freshmen Ivorii Seals and ReeRee Davis. While the team lacks a vocal leader, they push each other through leading by example and building strong chemistry.

  • Palomar College hired Leigh Marshall as head coach in the 2010-2011 school year.
  • Palomar's women's basketball team is 17-7 overall and 8-1 in Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play this season.
  • The Comets' only loss this season came by 3 points on the road to MiraCosta College, the last undefeated women's team in the California Community College Athletic Association.

The players

Leigh Marshall

Palomar College women's basketball head coach who has built the program into a consistent contender over the past 14 seasons.

Kailani Flournoy

Palomar's 5'10" sophomore forward who is averaging 10.4 points and a team-leading 13.5 rebounds per game.

Kylee Trujillo

Palomar's 5'6" sophomore guard who leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.4 points per game while shooting 42.5% from the floor.

Ivorii Seals

Palomar's freshman guard who is averaging 16.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

ReeRee Davis

Palomar's freshman point guard who is averaging 8.1 points and 4.7 assists per game.

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What they’re saying

“We're not always the best, but we play pretty close to being the best we can be. I know I'm better mentally and physically for being here.”

— Kailani Flournoy, Palomar forward (sandiegouniontribune.com)

“I've seen a lot of improvement in the team this year. That's the strength of this program: we get better.”

— Kylee Trujillo, Palomar guard (sandiegouniontribune.com)

“We have an entire team of low-key, soft-spoken people. But everyone is passionate about basketball. I love the overall environment. Everyone pushes everyone else. Everyone's back is covered. We just don't talk a lot about it.”

— ReeRee Davis, Palomar freshman point guard (sandiegouniontribune.com)

What’s next

Palomar College's women's basketball team will continue their quest for a deep playoff run, with the goal of reaching the state's Elite Eight championship round for the third time under head coach Leigh Marshall.

The takeaway

Palomar College's women's basketball program has become a model of success in the California community college system, proving that a strong coaching staff, player development, and a collaborative team culture can overcome the challenges of rebuilding each season with a young, unassuming roster.