Comets volleyball builds on strong core

By Floyd Jernigan

Nevada Daily Mail

Cottey College volleyball coach Marla Kannady Foreman will add at least five incoming freshmen to a handful of returning players, even as she sees a solid group of sophomores depart for new schools.

Several Cottey sophomore players were awarded Region XVI first- and second-team honors, all of whom are graduating this spring.

First-team honors went to setter Alexis Self and libero Kymee Bair, while Kristina Coverdell received second-team honors.

Bair plans to attend Friends University and continue playing volleyball, while Coverdell has yet to make a decision between Southwestern College, in Wichita, Kan., or Lindenwood University, in Belleville, Ill.

"I do believe Alexis has wedding plans in the future, as she became engaged over spring break," said Foreman.

While she noted she will miss her sophomores, the coach will greet the return of several key standouts.

Kasey Hall is returning with a 4.0 fall semester grade point average.

"She is obviously a smart player and very strategic with her drop tip on a double block from the middle," noted the coach.

"Cassie Hale is working diligently on her shoulder, as she is a bi-sport athlete at Cottey. I can already see a difference and strength in her hitting, and I look forward to what she can do this fall for us.

"Morgan Wheatley is a very reliable player and she will definitely be earning a leadership role for me this fall, because of that.

"Skyler Ford is showing more aggressiveness in her attacks, and more balance in her step. At 6-4, she has the opportunity to be a dominating force in the blocking and hitting area this fall for us, if she continues to work this summer on it," summed up the coach.

That group will be joined by a number of incoming freshmen.

Regan Kannady is coming from Nevada High School and adds both athleticism and height. During her high school career, she was a first-team All-Region, All-District and All-Tournament selection, leading the team in kills the past two seasons.

She will see time in a new role as setter, but also as a middle and outside hitter. For more on Regan, see the April 16 edition of the Daily Mail.

Kelsey Davidson comes from Holden, Mo.

"We have a freshman softball player for Cottey this year from Holden, Selena Gochenour," said Coach Foreman. "Selena spoke very highly of Kelsey. Kelsey also played for the Midwest Xplosion North team this spring, along with her future teammate, Regan Kannady.

"Kelsey is a strong, aggressive middle hitter. Her high school team knew she was the go-to person, and they counted on her a lot.

"I went to see her during sectionals, and she went down in the middle of a game with an ankle injury. However, she was not going to stay down or let her team down, so she played through the pain.

"I knew right then, she was a tough and determined player and that I would be blessed to have her on my team."

Davidson, a four-year varsity player like Kannady, was All-State her senior year, and was also voted team MVP. She was Academic All-State for three years.

Jalilah Cox comes from Raytown South High School.

"I was able to see her play at a tryout I held," Foreman said of Cox. "She has a good vertical and I believe she can be a strong provider in the outside hitting and blocking areas of the game.

"Jalilah's name was given to me by a club coach and her coach is very proud of her accomplishments and believes that Jalilah will be a great asset to the Comet program," said Foreman.

Cox was team captain as a senior, also winning the Heart and Soul Award her senior year. A two-time letter-winner, she earned a spot on the teachers' honor roll three years and the principal's honor roll two years. She was voted most improved player as a freshman.

Madeline Lugenbeel has played club since she was a little girl. She is home-schooled and has been a part of her dad's club volleyball team for years.

"Madeline has also had some other club coaches, and they spoke so highly of Madeline's leadership on and off the floor when I went to her signing," Foreman said. "She is good at carrying her team as a setter, because she has a nurturing personality and can relate well with her teammates."

"I look forward to her and Regan sharing a dual role in my 6-2 setting system. However, I also have the luxury of running Madeline in a 5-1 setting system, if the need ever presents itself," noted the coach.

Lugenbeel has played volleyball for Kansas City East Christian Academy since fifth grade, was a varsity member for four years and team captain for three. She was ranked 17th in serving aces and 81st in assists by maxpreps.com.

She earned an All-American Award at the National Christian Home School Volleyball Championships her sophomore, junior and senior years.

She was assistant director of the Pathway Puppet Team from First Baptist Church, in Raytown, Mo.

She coached a recreational elementary-aged volleyball team for three years. She has been awarded a Fine Arts Theatre scholarship at Cottey College.

Foreman concluded by saying she wasn't done on the recruiting trail.

"I hope to add four more freshmen for next year," she said.