Comets notch four-set victory over William Baptist College

The Cottey Comet volleyball team had a successful weekend on the court, knocking off visiting William Baptist (Ark.) College in front of their home faithful on Saturday at Hinkhouse Center.

Cottey (7-9) cruised to a 25-13 opening-set victory, before dropping the second set 19-25. The Comets then bounced back with third (25-18) and fourth set (25-15) victories to put the match on ice.

“This was also our (annual) Breast Cancer/Cancer Awareness Day (match), in which we had the team and fans wearing pink and purple,” said Cottey head coach Marla Kannady-Foreman. “(Prior to the match) the team delivered a short ceremony, stating who they were playing in honor of, or in memory of.”

Added Kannady-Foreman: “This hits pretty close to home for me, as I was able to coach in honor of my mother, Vonnie Main, and Charles Foreman — and in memory of my late husband, Mike Kannady, and my dad Dean Main. I tell my players before this match every year, that we may be going to battle on the volleyball court, but there are people who are battling for their life from this disease. We need to show them that there is hope in the battle when we step on that court.”

Cottey stat leaders for the match, included: Rilie Good, nine kills and five blocks; Melanie Dillon, 16 aces, 16 digs and eight kills; Geneva McGrath, 16 digs; Kelsey Thomas, 16 digs; Ellie Smith, 13 assists; Lily Miller, nine kills; Anna Walley, five blocks; and Emily Killion, two aces.

Cottey was also in action the day prior, as the Comets fell in five sets to visiting Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Cottey won the first set 25-22, before suffering setbacks in sets two (19-25) and three (19-25). Kannady-Formean’s club then edged the visitors in the fourth set, 26-24. Oklahoma Wesleyan, however, took the fifth and decisive set, 15-10.

Kannady-Foreman indicated she was pleased with her club’s play in the five-set home loss.

“For some reason, we always show up to play (against them),” began the veteran head coach. “We did well against (them), a tough NAIA opponent, in the Bartlesville tournament (Sept. 7-8), and then had another opportunity to play them again at home on (Sept. 28). I love it when my players are running on all cylinders as a team. The fans really get into it, and it makes it an enjoyable match. We played them four sets in Bartlesville, and were able to improve the contest to five sets at home.”

For Cottey, Smith dished out a team-high 24 assists and added 10 digs, while Dillon chipped in 14 assists, 10 digs, eight kills, and four aces. Good, meanwhile, recorded 11 kills and three blocks; McGrath, 18 digs; Jocelyn Tidwell, 14 digs; Miller, 11 kills; and Walley, six blocks. Cottey’s spikers are idle until Oct. 16, when they square off with visiting Kansas Christian College. The match is slated for 6:30 p.m. from Hinkhouse.