Colby claims the Region VI and Plains District Championship

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Colby Community College won the Volleyball Region VI and Plains District Championship on Sunday afternoon with a 3-1 victory over Butler Community College. The Trojans earned an automatic bid to the NJCAA Volleyball National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas, starting Wednesday, November 15th. This is the third time in program history (1977 & 1978) that the Trojans will compete at the National Tournament, and this is the first time in the Carey Jones era. Colby is currently on a nine-match winning streak and 22-9 record.

The Trojans fell in the opening set 25-22 but bounced back to win the following three sets 25-17, 25-16, and 27-25.

Celia Mbaya led the way in the championship match with 17 kills and a  hitting percentage. Lily-Rose Pichon had a team-high 18 digs, and Anna Gazzerro had a double-double with 31 assists and 14 digs. 

In the first set the Trojans fell behind early, 9-5, but fought back with an ace by Asli Cam followed by an overpass kill by Ilaria Chiericati. The Grizzlies led 16-12, their largest lead of the set, but the Trojans responded with a 3-0 run that forced a Butler timeout. Colby tied the match at 21-21 and forced a Butler timeout, but the Grizzlies closed out the set on a 4-1 run, 25-22. 

Colby fell behind early in the second set 7-2 to Butler, and looked to respond. The Trojans settled down and took the lead 11-10 over Butler after a 9-3 run. The set was locked at 13-13, and after a kill by Chiericati the Trojans went on a 5-1 run to take an 18-14 advantage. An ace by Mbaya gave Colby a 22-15 lead, and the Trojans closed out the set 25-17 to tie up the match at a set a piece.

The Trojans started strong in the third set with a 6-0 run that forced a Grizzly substitution. Colby's Asli Cam rolled the kill over the block, giving the Trojans a 17-10 advantage that forced a Butler timeout. Colby closed out the third set on a 3-0 run and won the set 25-16 to take a 2-1 match lead.

The fourth set went back and forth early as the Trojans led 10-8 after a Butler hitting error.  Butler had their largest lead in the set with a 14-10 advantage, but Colby responded with a 4-0 run to tie it 14 all. The set was tied seven times after 14 all as Colby called a timeout, trailing the Grizzlies 22-21. Butler had three set points and led 24-21. The Trojans stormed back on the serves of Boglarka Kiss to tie the match at 24 all. At the championship point, the Grizzlies mishandled a pass that sailed to the Trojans' side, and Alexandra Workman got the kill for the championship point. 

The Trojans claimed the Region VI, District Championship and punched their ticket to the NJCAA National Championship. 

The NJCAA National Tournament will reveal the tournament bracket on Thursday, November 9th, at noon. The Trojans will have a bracket reveal party starting at 11:30 a.m. in the multi-purpose room on campus.