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Fresh faces spur positive outlook for Cottey volleyball
Marla Kannady-Foreman is excited for the upcoming volleyball season, her 18th as the Cottey Comets head coach.
“As always, a coach has really high expectations for their team in any given season,” said Kannady-Foreman.
“My strongest expectation of my team is to bond well, and allow that to be a strength in building a winning season; based on having each others backs, and being motivated individually to become the best player they can be during that season, and also the off-season.”
The Comets return two starters from last season’s 11-15 team — outside hitter Maddy Hidbon and libero Lily Brockus.
“Maddy worked hard in the off-season, and Lily had the pleasure of being a dual-sport athlete, in which she was a member of the Region 16 championship team for the Cottey softball program this past spring,” noted Kannady-Foreman.
Kannady-Foreman continued: “(Also returning is) Logan Lamb, who saw a little playing time this past season, but comes in with a lot of heart, hustle, and a great attitude which motivates others.”
The Comets also return setter/defensive specialist Allyson Williams, who took a medical redshirt as a freshman last season.
Kannady-Foreman’s program welcomes in seven freshmen, with six hailing from Missouri and one from Kansas. Kannady-Foreman said she expects several of her freshman crop to make an immediate impact on the court.
“I have at least three young ladies who have (garnered) All-Conference, All-District, All-Region, and All-State honors (in high school),” she said.
Kannady-Foreman cited those players, as: Emily Killion, a middle hitter out of Wheaton, Mo.; Geneva McGrath, a setter from Osceola, Mo.; and Anna Walley, an outside-middle hitter from Adrian.
“I also have some freshmen coming in who have been multi-sport athletes and state qualifiers, who played in the Sertoma All-Star Classic in Springfield, and who have been named to the Academic All-State team,” said Kannady-Foreman.
Key losses from Kannady-Foreman’s 2016 squad, include Ann Lipscomb, Melanie Dillon, and libero Reita Andrew.
“Ann (joined) an NCAA Division I rowing team (University of Southern California),” said Kannady-Foreman. “She was a great loss, as well as Melanie Dillon, who was my 5-1 setter this past season. Melanie will, however, be coming back for a four-year degree, so she may be eligible to play another season in the fall of 2018, should we join the NAIA.
“Like Melanie, Reita plans to return to Cottey for a four-year degree and possibly play another year once we are established as a four-year program.”
Kannady-Foreman said she anticipates tough compeition in her region, NJCAA Region 16. Region 16 is currently comprised of Cottey, MCC-Longview, East Central College, and St. Louis Community College.
“Each year is different for our region,” she said. “There are always changes being made.(During the offseason) we lost Wentworth Military Academy, as they have closed their doors.”
Kannady-Foreman said she expects MCC-Longview and East Central College to be particulary strong.
“I believe my team can compete with any of the region schools we come up against,” she said. “If we are willing to go in with a positive and determined outlook, instead of basing things on win-loss record from previous years, then we stand a chance of finishing the regular-season in good shape heading into postseason play.”
Kannady-Forman’s keys to success
• Come hungry to work hard each and every day in practice.
• Bond with each other in a way that you have each other’s back, and you can utilize the differences each player has for a positive outlook (in relation to) team chemistry.
• Remember to say “It’s not about me,” at least twice a day.
• Be willing to serve in a capacity that helps build on the team core covenant, which is in place for the team.
• Never settle for the current knowledge you have of the game. Strive to be smarter and more knowledgeable about the game on the collegiate level.
Comets 2017 roster
• Maddy Hidbon: 5-9, Soph., outside hitter/right-side hitter; Versailles, Mo.
• Lily Brockus: 5-8, Soph., libero; Osceola, Mo.
• Logan Lamb: 5-5, Soph., defensive specialist; Sheldon, Mo.
• Allyson Williams: 5-5, Soph., setter/defensive specialist; Lincoln, Mo.
• Emily Killion: 5-10, Fr., middle hitter/right-side hitter; Wheaton, Mo.
• Geneva McGrath: 5-3, Fr., setter/defensive specialist; Osceola, Mo.
• Anna Walley: 6-0, Fr., middle hitter, outside hitter, right-side hitter; Adrian, Mo.
• Hana Kellenberger: 5-3, Fr., defensive specialist; Columbia, Mo.
• Allyson King: 5-8, Fr., outside hitter, right-side hitter; Carl Junction, Mo.
• Rhandi Pendergraft: 5-7, defensive specialist; Cassville, Mo.
• Mackenzie Green: 5-7, Fr., setter, right-side hitter, defensive specialist; De Soto, Kan.
Cottey opens its season Aug. 24 on the road against Ottawa University. The Comets home-opener is slated for Sept. 15 against MCC-Longview.