Comet volleyball opens at Wentworth triangular

The 2016 Cottey Comets volleyball team, pictured from left to right: Lily Brockus, Sara Marshall, Ann Lipscomb, Haley Duft, Reita Andrew, Kylee Wilson, Maddy Hibdon, Melanie Dillon, Tabitha Jackson, and Logan Lamb. Pictured in front from left: Comets assistant coach Alexis Self, team member Allyson Williams, and Comets head coach Marla Kannada-Foreman. (Photo by Matt Resnick/Daily Mail)

Cottey Comets head coach Marla Kannady-Foreman has high expectations as her team opens its volleyball season today at the Wentworth Military Academy triangular in Lexington, Mo.

"Our key for having a great season is for us to come together as one unit," said the 17th-year head coach, "with sophomores keeping the incoming freshman aware of the way I run my program through strategies and coaching techniques. And for the freshman (recruits) to realize they have to be able to make an impact as team members."

The Comets return five players from last year's team: Sophomores Reita Andrew, Kylee Wilson, Tabitha Jackson, Melanie Dillon, and Ann Lipscomb.

"We are strong in returning players," Kannady-Foreman said. "My five returners saw considerable playing time last fall, and have come back ready to stop being the underdog in the gym.

"We are strong in all areas of the court, whether it's middle hitter, outside hitter, setting, or defensive specialist-libero, which makes it exciting to see what we will do. We are ahead of where we were in preparedness compared to this time last year."

Kannady-Foreman discussed some of her returning players in further detail.

"I believe Ann will be improved from last fall, because she came from a different coaching philosophy in California, and I can already see where she has made great changes in her game," Kannady-Foreman said. "Melanie had to be used as a middle hitter for me this past fall, and so that took her out of her hitting preference."

Kannady-Foreman said she expects Dillon to be a major factor this season.

"I plan to see some great things from Melanie on the front row this fall," she said. "Ann and Melanie are strong and very athletic players. Reita and Kylee have worked hard over the summer to improve their game, so they will be contributors in the libero and secondary setting-passing position. Tabitha finished strong last fall, and will definitely be making her (presence known) in the middle hitter position for us."

Kannady-Foreman signed four incoming freshmen early in the recruiting process.

"Maddy Hibdon will be good at the outside hitter position," she said. "Lily Brockus will be performing for all six rotations this fall, with middle hitter-libero status. Sara Marshall provides passing and hitting in the RS (right-side) position for us. My fourth freshman (Allyson Williams) has the shoulder injury, so I plan to redshirt her."

Kannady-Foreman also welcomes in a new assistant coach, Alexis Self.

"She is no stranger to this institution," Kannady-Foreman said. "Alexis played for me from 2011-2013, and was a strong competitor, athletically talented, smart, and consistent.

"Her role was a six-position player as a setter-defensive specialist in a 6-2 system. She unfortunately had a severe sprain at the beginning of her sophomore year, and was out for what seemed like a month and a half.

"We definitely missed her during that time. She knows my program. We think a lot alike in most aspects of the game, which is going to be beneficial for the players as we continue through the season. At this time, she is in charge of helping with practices, and basically runs the conditioning phase of my program."