Cottey victory guarantees first-ever winning season
Nevada Daily Mail FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- The Cottey College volleyball team assured the first winning season in its brief four-year history. The Comets (10-8) defeated Fort Scott Community College, 3-1, on Friday. "This was a great win for at least two reasons," said Cottey coach Marla Kannady. "First, it avenges a loss to Fort Scott on our home floor, and second, it means we will have a winning regular-season record. "This is a great reward for the players who have worked so hard this season." In four games, with a combined 11-point differential, the Comets overcame a poor night at the service line with tenacious floor play. After falling behind by seven points, the Comets stormed back for a 30-26 win in game one. Game two went overtime before the Comets secured a 31-29 victory over the Greyhounds. In the third game, with the Comets poised for the sweep, the Greyhounds refused to wilt. Fort Scott defeated Cottey, again in extended play, 34-32. Said Kannady, "That was some game to watch. I guess some of the fans thought it might go on all evening as neither team was willing to back down. It was back-and-forth to the end." In another close match, the Comets imposed their will to win with a 30-27 trimming in the match-deciding fourth contest. Statistically, front-row players Carey Chenoweth and Teresa Parks led the Comets with 19 solo blocks and 22 kills, respectively. Second-year libero Liz Hutchinson, freshman Jessica Puskar and freshman Lauren Walker, in particular, turned in stellar defensive efforts. In addition, Walker, the setter, recorded a whopping 56 assists. Cottey plays its regular-season finale against Allen C.C. on Tuesday, prior to its opener in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XVI Tournament in St. Louis on Saturday.