Colby defeats Cloud County 3-0 in their home opener

COLBY, Kan. - The Colby Trojans volleyball program defeated Cloud County Community College 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. Colby trailed 20-12 in the final set and stormed back to win the last set 26-24 after a 14-4 run. The Trojans improved to 7-3 on the year and 1-1 in conference play with the victory. Hutchinson currently leads the KJCCC (2-0), followed by Barton (1-0), and Colby is in a four-way tie for third place after the first week of conference play. Next week, Colby will travel to Pratt on Wednesday, followed by a trip to New Mexico Junior College, with matches on Friday and Saturday. 

The Trojans swept the Thunderbirds with scores of 25-16, 25-17, and 25-24.

Colby started the match with an early 8-2 lead and looked comfortable on their home court early on in the game. The Trojans continued to separate themselves in the opening set 16-6 after an ace by Ilaria Chiericati forced a Cloud County timeout. The Thunderbirds did not have an answer for Colby's serves early on. Colby claimed the first set 25-16 to take an early 1-0 match lead.

Both teams exchanged points to start the second set as the Trojans led 7-6 early on. Colby jumped out to a 16-10 advantage and continued to disrupt Cloud County's offense with their strong serving. Célia Mbaya connected on a powerful kill to give the Trojans a 21-16 lead over the Thunderbirds. Colby closed out the second set on a 5-1 run to take a commanding 2-0 set lead for the match.

The Trojans were down early in the third set, 7-3, as the Thunderbirds looked to force another set. Colby later found themselves down 20-12 and looked to get back into the set. The Trojans responded on a 12-4 run to tie the set at 24-24 after the Thunderbirds had two match points. Two big rallies and a strong serving game by Mbaya closed out the third set 26-24 as the Trojans defeated the Thunderbirds in straight set. 

Colby will be back in action this Wednesday in the Beaver Dome and head to Hobbs, New Mexico, this weekend. The Trojans will return to the Colby Event Center on Monday, September 11th, at 5 p.m. CT and take on Butler Community College.