Cottey spikers qualify for first NAIA national tournament

After an unexpected hiatus for the final two weeks of March, the Cottey College volleyball team has refused to lose so far in April.

So much so that the Comets will be heading to their first-ever NAIA National Championship this weekend.

Following a tune-up sweep over Kansas Christian College inside the Hinkhouse Center last Monday, Cottey shocked conference foes Crowley's Ridge and Lincoln Christian with a 4-0 performance in the Association of Independent Institutions' tournament over the weekend in Lincoln, Ill.

The Comets earned the No. 2 seed on Friday, before returning Saturday and scoring the first 11 points against the Pioneers en route to a 25-7, 25-18, 25-11 thrashing to qualify them for the championship match against the hosting Red Lions. Jocelyn Tidwell had 15 kills and 13 digs in the match, while teammate Lily Miller added 13 kills. Rosa Schones racked up 24 digs, and Mackenzie Green contributed 32 assists.

Cottey escaped the first game against LCU 25-22, rolled 25-16 in game two, and became A.I.I. Conference Tournament champions with a 25-21 win in game three. Miller had 12 kills. Tidwell and Briannah Quick added 10. Green led with 25 assists and 12 digs.

The Comets will be one of seven teams making their debuts in the NAIA Championship, which features a 48-team bracket (36 automatic qualifiers and 12 at-large selections).

Their first opponent, Central Methodist University, will be making its third trip, having last qualified in 2019.

Cottey will travel to Fayette on Saturday for the match. Winner advances to play in the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa, starting April 27.