NEVADA, Mo. — The Cottey College Comets volleyball team has been selected to finish seventh in the 2025 American Midwest Conference (AMC) Preseason Coaches Poll.

The poll, voted on by AMC head coaches, places Cottey behind perennial powerhouses Columbia College, among others. Columbia earned the top spot with eight first-place votes, edging Stephens College, which received two.

Despite the seventh-place projection, the Comets enter the season with optimism and momentum. The Comets return Honorable Mention All-Conference selections Magdalen Dougherty and Tatum Marang, who are expected to anchor the Comets' offensive attack. Dougherty's versatility and Marang's power at the net give Cottey a dynamic edge that could surprise opponents across the league.

Head Coach Marla Kannady Foreman, entering her 26th season at the helm, emphasized growth and grit:

"Being picked seventh gives us fuel. We know what we're capable of, and we're ready to prove it on the court."

The Comets open AMC play on September 19th against Harris-Stowe in St. Louis, with non-conference matchups beginning August 26th at Ozark Christian. With a schedule that includes multiple tournaments featuring teams from outside the midwest, Cottey will have ample opportunity to climb the standings and make a statement.

As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Cottey to see whether the Comets can turn preseason skepticism into postseason success.