Comets notch four-set victory over MCC

MANHATTAN, Kan., — The Cottey Comet spikers moved to 5-4 overall on the season courtesy of Tuesday’s four-set road victory over Manhattan (Kan.) Christian College.

Two of Cottey’s five wins have come against MCC, as they previously defeated them in a neutral-site five-set match, Aug. 31 in a Ankeny, Iowa.

Cottey came out slow in Tuesday night’s rematch, as MCC took the opening set, 25-22. The Comets quickly heated up, however, taking the following three sets 25-20, 25-18, 25-20 to secure the victory.

“The (opening) match started out rough again, as we don’t always get (off to a fast start) after a lengthy bus trip,” explained Cottey head coach Marla Kannady-Foreman. “However, we definitely turned things around for the last three sets.”

Kannady-Foreman lauded Manhattan Christian for their ultra-competitive play.

“They have a super-great team that loves the floor, and can dig up some really crazy hard hits,” concluded the veteran head coach. “They are definitely strong in terms of defense, and that kept them close to us (in the final three sets).”

For the Comets, freshman outside hitter Rilie Good tallied a team-highs in kills (21) and blocks (4) — while her former Nevada High School teammate, Ellie Smith, dished out a game-high 37 assists, to go along with 16 digs and a block.

Cottey junior Melanie Dillon recorded a team-high 23 digs and added 16 assists and 12 kills, while sophomore Geneva McGrath chipped in 18 digs.

In addition Cottey’s powerful sophomore middle hitter Anna Walley concluded with a dozen kills and a pair of blocks — while Lincoln, Missouri product Allyson Williams finished with a team-high two aces.

Other key stats for Kannady-Foreman’s club included a serving percentage of 93 percent, 101 digs, eight solo blocks, six aces, and just three serve-receive errors.

Kannady-Foreman said she tweaked her lineup prior to the contest, as the changes were made with the aim of increasing Cottey’s overall prospects in the area of serve-receive.

Additionally, a Comet rotation player unavailable due to illness also facilitated Kannady-Foreman’s lineup changes against MCC.