Second-year starter Jesse Jargowsky puts some force behind the ball as she fields one in the backcourt during Thursday night's volleyball game between Cottey College and Ozarc Christian College at Nevada. Backing Jargowski up is No.1 Carmen Kintz (left) and No. 12 Lauren Jenkins (right). -- Submitted Photo [Click to enlarge]

Despite what the coach calls an overconfidence problem leading to a loss in their second set, Nevada's Cottey College Comets volleyball team got the better of Joplin based Ozark Christian College Thursday night -- three sets to one.

After weeks of practice, the Comets came out ready to play a game Thursday said Cottey College Volleyball Coach Marla Kannady Foreman. This became apparent when Cottey took a 7-0 lead and nearly doubled Ozark with a 25-13 first-set win.

"My players were excited about their first match, and were out to make some things happen in set one," said Foreman. "My players have been working hard over the last week and a half with two and three a day practices. They were ready to put things to use in a real live match, and that is what it looked like for set one. We went directly to special attacks, and were very successful in keeping the momentum during set one."

Set two ended on an opposing note with Cottey on the losing end of a 25-18 match.

Foreman attributed the lost round to the nerves of a first-match being played at home and overconfidence. However, she believes the winning spirit of the team will assist her in correcting this problem.

"I have sometimes had trouble with players in the past, who see that they have easily won the first set, go out in the next set not as focused on their goal or big picture," she said. "This is something I know I can change in this group of young athletes, because they have the determination and the competitiveness to not allow that to happen. I know they were relieved to have played one set, as I am sure the nerves were out of control for the most part, with it being the first match, and at home."

Sets three and four shifted back in favor of Nevada with 25-14 and 25-18 wins.

"We got back on track, even though Ozark was keeping it close for a while in each set" said Foreman. "I watched us make many, many setting and hitting errors on the special attacks we ran. I feel that it was based on communication issues between the hitters and setters, and can be ironed out. It was hard to watch all the errors, and I am sure the crowd was thinking the same thing. However, I am proud of the way that my players went out and attempted to do the special attacks."

Nevada High School graduate Ashleigh Bryson had a great game for the Comets with three aces and 32 assists. Returning starter Lauren Jenkins had a good night at the net with 11 kills. Playing the libero position, second-year player Jesse Jargowsky led the team with 22 digs. Newcomer Kaley Rogers led the Comets with three blocks.

"I have a team of go-getters this year, and it will be exciting to watch what they can do, once they iron out all the kinks," said Foreman.

Next up for the Comets is a trip to Lee's Summit to play perennial Region 16 powerhouse Longview Community College on Wednesday, Sept. 3. The next home match for the Comets will be a tri-match against Labette Community College and Fort Scott Community College on Saturday, Sept. 6. The first game will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Hinkhouse Gymnasium.