Trojans advance to region semis

Last week it took a shorthanded Colby Community College volleyball team five sets to knock off a gritty Garden City team. In Wednesday's opening round of the Region VI playoffs at the Community Building, the Trojans had a full squad and swept the Broncbusters 25-11, 25-13, and 25-9.

Garden City jumped out 2-0 in the first set before Colby grabbed seven of the next eight points to take a 7-3 lead. The gap closed to 8-7 but the Trojans went on another solid run capped by an Ilani Myers kill to widen the margin to 19-8. The Trojans stayed in control the rest of the way for the win.

The Trojans wasted no time in the second set, gaining a 4-0 advantage. The Broncbusters scored three straight to pull within one, but three service aces and a right-side kill by Macarena Ruiz sparked a rally that eventually put Colby up 14-4 on the way to taking the set.

The Broncbusters opened strong again in the third set and built a 3-1 lead, but Colby rallied and scored five straight to go ahead 6-3. After a Garden City time out, the Trojans increased the margin to 10-4 on an emphatic Milica Djukic kill. A stubborn defense allowed just five more points the rest of the way as Colby completed the sweep.

The Trojans, with a record of 23-6 and seeded second in the playoff bracket, now turn their attention to the semifinal round where they face third-seed Barton Community College (24-11) for a 3 p.m. contest Sunday in Liberal. Each team won at home in head-to-head competition during the season. The winner will play either Seward County or Hutchinson Sunday for the region championship at 6 p.m.