News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2008

VOLLEYBALL COMETS GAIN TWO MORE WINS

The Cottey College volleyball Comets got a pair of victories over the weekend in front of friends and family in town for Family Weekend at the College. In the first match of the day, the Comets defeated the Stephens College Stars in four games, 25-18, 20-25, 25-15, and 25-12. In their second match of the afternoon, Cottey beat Baptist Bible College in four games, 25-13, 20-25, 25-10, and 25-11.

The victory over the Stars was especially sweet as Stephens had given the Comets two of their four losses on the season. After the first two games it looked as though it could be anyone's match. In both of those games, there were several ties. In game one, the teams were tied twice around the mid-point of the game, at 12 and 13, and in the second game, the teams were tied at eight, 12, and 20 points. And, at the end of the second game, both teams had one win.

However, in games three and four, the Comets asserted themselves on offense and never really let the Stars take control. In game three, Cottey jumped out to an 8-3 early lead and then built that to an 18-10 advantage before pulling away for the win.

In the fourth and final game, the Comets were even more dominant, gaining a 10-2 early lead, and outscoring Stephens 15-10 over the homestretch.

"We did a great job of defeating Stephens in the first, third, and fourth set this go around," said head coach Marla Kannady Foreman. "We lost to them twice earlier in the season. I am sure that having parents and family members in the stands helped, along with the fact that it is hard to beat someone for the third time."

Team leaders for the Comets were Ashleigh Bryson and Jesse Jargowsky with four aces each, Jargowsky with 23 assists, Lauren Jenkins with 15 kills, Anna Cruse with four blocks, and Carmen Kintz with 28 digs.

After Stephens defeated Baptist Bible College, the Comets took the court to face the Lady Patriots from Springfield, Missouri.

Baptist Bible scored the first point of the game, but the Comets scored the next eight to take a commanding lead they never relinquished. The Lady Patriots took a timeout when Cottey built a 19-6 lead. BBC was able to regroup a bit, but it was too little too late in game one.

However, the momentum shift seemed to be taking hold early in game two. BBC was able to get a small lead early at 5-8. The Comets tied the game at nine and ten points, but never could take the lead. Cottey fell behind again, and pulled within three points on two different occasions, at 15-18 and 20-23, but never could close the gap.

"This is the second time Baptist Bible has gotten a win on us," said Foreman, "with one being in the Springfield tournament, and then on Saturday. The bad thing about it, is that this was set two, in which we had lost set two as well to Stephens. One of the players stated that 'we just got too cocky,' and I agreed with her."

After the game two reality check, the Comets played like they are capable of playing, roaring out to a 5-0 and 8-1 lead in the third game. BBC could never take control offensively as Cottey ran to 20-7 before sealing the victory.

It was more of the same in game four as Cottey had leads of 10-3 and 20-9 on their way to a relatively easy win.

Against BBC, the Comets were led by Kaley Rogers with six aces, Bryson with 31 assists, Jenkins with 13 kills, Cruse with four blocks, and Jargowsky with 14 digs.

The victories raised the Comets' record to 14-4 on the year. On Wednesday, October 8, Longview Community College will come to Cottey. The first game will begin at 7 p.m. inside the friendly confines of Hinkhouse Gymnasium.