No. 12 Trojans Face No. 8 Barton in Key Matchup Wednesday

The No. 12 Colby Community College volleyball team returns to action this week with a pair of conference matchups. The Trojans will host No. 8 Barton inside the Colby Event Center this Wednesday (Sept. 24) before facing off against Seward County on Saturday (Sept. 27). 

Colby enters the week with a 13-4 overall record and a perfect 5-0 mark in KJCCC play after beating Dodge City at home and then sweeping Butler in El Dorado.  The Trojans lead the conference in total kills and assists while also averaging a league-best 17.9 points per set. Colby has also been dominant from the service line, pacing the KJCCC with 315 total aces.

The Trojans' high-powered attack is led by sophomore outside hitter Karlotta Kattai, who has already recorded 239 kills while averaging the second best mark in the nation (4.51 k/s). Kattai also ignites the service game with a team-leading 30 aces through 17 matches. Running the offense is setter Amanda Caputi, whose 613 assists (11.57 a/s) rank first in the NJCAA by more than a full set per match.

Defensively, libero Anita Ferri has anchored the back row with a team-high 187 digs, ranking sixth in the KJCCC at 3.53 per set. Ella Dridi has been a two-way standout, contributing the second-most digs on the team (156) while also ranking second in kills (141). At the net, middle blocker Chiara Binda has posted 34 blocks to lead the team, while Isadora Carrareto continues to make strides with 29 (0.81 b/s) blocks of her own.

No. 8 Barton (16-4, 3-0 KJCCC) has been tested early this season, with its only setbacks coming against nationally ranked opponents No. 9 Odessa and No. 15 Northeastern. The Cougars, who opened the year ranked No. 9, started strong by going 4-0 at the Scooter's Invitational and have continued to establish themselves as a top contender in the conference. Offensively, Barton is powered by outside hitter Stasa Stamenkovic, who leads the team with 230 kills (3.43 per set). She is joined by three other Cougars who have already surpassed the 100-kill mark, giving Barton one of the deepest attacking groups in the KJCCC. The offense runs through setter Ori Briger, who has handed out 374 assists (5.58 per set) and has shown the ability to spread the ball efficiently across the front line. Defensively, libero Mina Kaneko has anchored the back row with 331 digs (4.94 per set), keeping Barton strong in serve receive and transition defense. At the net, middle blocker Audrey Olander has been a force, ranking third in the nation with 88 total blocks, giving the Cougars a formidable presence at the net.

Seward County (5-10, 2-2 KJCCC) comes into Saturday's matchup looking to build momentum after a straight-set win over Cloud County. The Saints have totaled 992 kills this season, the lowest mark in the conference, but are led offensively by outside hitter Mariana Silva, who has tallied 226 kills and averages 3.77 per set. Setter Maja Kobielska directs the offense, contributing 303 assists (9.1 per set). On the defensive side, the Saints feature three players with more than 100 digs, led by Mireya Kawaguchi with 152. At the net, Seward spreads the load with four different players already in double-digit blocks, giving the Saints a balanced presence defensively.

The No. 12 Trojans are rolling, and Wednesday's (Sept. 24) matchup with Barton is the perfect time to pack the Event Center. Stop by Pizza Hut to grab a Buddy Pass—good for free admission for you and a friend—and don't miss your chance to win prizes, including free pizza, during our mini-games between sets. It's also Elementary School Night and Recreation Night, so families and members of those programs get in free. We're calling on all fans to wear white and create an electric atmosphere for our official White Out Game. Let's fill the stands and show Barton what Trojan Nation is all about!