No. 3 Volleyball Begins 2025 Season at Midland Kick-Off Classic

No. 3 Colby CC Volleyball at Midland Kick-Off Classic

Friday-Saturday, August 22-23

Chaparral Center • Midland, Texas

The third ranked Trojans volleyball team will open the 2025 season this weekend (Aug. 22-23) with four matches at the 2025 Midland Kick-Off Classic, hosted by Midland College. The Trojans are set to kick off the campaign Friday against Lee College at 10:30 a.m. and Midland College at 2:30 p.m. The tournament will conclude Saturday afternoon as CCC battles North Idaho College at 9:00 a.m. and then ends the tournament against New Mexico JC at 1:00 p.m.

Head Coach Carey Jones is heading into her 17th year as the head coach of the Trojans. Under her leadership, the program has consistently achieved both athletic and academic excellence. Last season the team ended with an impressive 29-5 overall record and a 14-2 mark in conference play and capped off the year by earning a third-place finish at the NJCAA National Championships.

The 2025 Trojan roster is anchored by a strong core of returning standouts from last season's record-breaking campaign. Outside hitter Karlotta Kattai, a sophomore from Tartu, Estonia, returns after an impressive debut year in which she was named NJCAA Second Team All-American and KJCCC Freshman of the Year. Kattai led the league in kills with 434, averaging 4.02 per set — the fourth-highest mark in the nation.

Kattai has been recognized as one of the nation's top talents heading into the 2025 season, earning a spot on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Two-Year College Players to Watch List. The AVCA Two-Year College Players to Watch List highlights just 12 student-athletes across the nation, honoring their talent, skill, and impact on the game.

Coach Jones had this to say about her accolade, "She has worked so hard to put herself in this position. It's great to see her recognized, and we are looking forward to watching her continue to develop this season."

Running the offense is setter Amanda Caputi, who earned First Team All-American honors after pacing the country in assists. She totaled 1,325 on the season—over 300 more than her closest conference rival—and her 11.23 assists per set ranked No. 1 nationally.

In the middle, Chiara Binda of Omegna, Italy, provides a steady defensive presence at the net. Last year, she recorded 68 total blocks, including eight solo stops, on her way to earning KJCCC Honorable Mention honors.

Also returning for the Trojans are sophomores Isabella Byrd and Kami Cowdrey. Both gained valuable experience within the program and are expected to play large roles this season. Their development and commitment position them to make a meaningful impact in 2025.

Last season, Lee College finished with a 9-21 overall record, including a 1-13 mark in conference play. The Navigators enter 2025 under new leadership with Kylie Cobb beginning her first season as head coach. Key returner Brianna White, the team's kills leader a year ago, tallied 327 kills and averaged 3.21 per set. Lee will also look to improve on its performance in neutral-site contests after going 0-5 in those matches last season.

Midland College brings back a strong core this season, highlighted by All-WJCAC First Team selection Noa Reculard of France, who tallied nearly 200 kills last season while hitting over .200. Joining her are Honorable Mention honorees Iasmin Araujo and Martina Frangella, giving the Lady Chaps an experienced and balanced lineup heading into the new year.

North Idaho finished 8-13 overall last season, including a 3-7 mark in conference play. The team enters 2025 under new leadership with Drew Pascua taking over as head coach, returning a roster largely composed of experienced second-year players.

New Mexico Junior College enjoyed a strong 2024 campaign, finishing 18-15 overall and 7-7 in conference play. WJCAC Newcomer of the Year Andjela Sojic led the team with more than 350 kills, averaging 2.77 per set. Leticia Neves returns as well, finishing second on the squad with 275 kills and a 2.39 kills-per-set average. 

After a pair of games tomorrow, the team will take a roadtrip to Laramie County CC to face off against four opponents. The LCCC Invite is set to get going on Thursday (Aug. 28) and conclude Saturday (Aug. 30).

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