No. 13 Trojans Deliver Dominant Win on Sophomore Night

COLBY, Kan. — The Colby Community College volleyball team put together one of its most complete performances of the season on Wednesday (Oct. 22) night, sweeping Butler Community College in dominant fashion (25-13, 25-21, 25-13) inside the Community Building. The evening carried special meaning as the Trojans celebrated Sophomore Night for five key contributors—Amanda Caputi, Karlotta Kattai, Isabella Byrd, Chiara Binda, and Kami Cowdrey—and also partnered with the Hope Foundation for their annual Pink Night in recognition of breast cancer awareness. Fueled by emotion, precision, and energy, Colby delivered a performance that matched the occasion from the first serve to the final point.

From the opening serve, the Trojans made it clear they came to dominate. Behind sharp serving, crisp ball movement, and aggressive swings at the net, Colby raced to a commanding 25-13 victory in the opening set. Setter Amanda Caputi, playing her final home match in a Trojan uniform, ran the offense with poise, spreading the attack across multiple hitters while keeping Butler's defense guessing. The sophomore captain dished out 34 assists, served three aces, and added seven digs, one solo block, and a kill. 

Colby's efficiency was staggering early on, recording a .463 hitting percentage as a team on the night and converting on nearly every opportunity created in transition. The balanced offensive effort showcased the Trojans' growth and chemistry under third-year head coach Darin Spence, who praised his team's focus and emotional composure postgame.

The Trojans' offense was led by sophomore outside hitter Karlotta Kattai, who once again proved why she's one of the KJCCC's most reliable scorers. Kattai tallied 12 kills on 18 swings with a stellar .500 hitting percentage, while adding two block assists and providing consistent energy on the court. Freshman standout Ella Dridi delivered another strong performance with 10 kills on .409 hitting, displaying her trademark power and versatility at the net. Chiara Binda added six kills on .545 hitting and tied her season high with four service aces, applying pressure from the back line throughout the match.

Middle hitter Isadora Carrareto was a key difference-maker in the middle, contributing five kills on an incredible .625 hitting percentage while leading the blocking effort with one solo block and two block assists. Rounding out the front-row effort, Lena Mihaljica chipped in nine kills and added two block assists, helping the Trojans control the net on both ends of the floor.

Defensively, Colby was just as strong. Anita Ferri anchored the back row with 14 digs. Isabella Byrd added five digs and handled serve receive duties with composure, while Mihaljica, Caputi, and Binda all contributed to a balanced defensive effort.

The Trojans limited Butler's scoring opportunities by forcing errors and converting defense into quick offensive points. Colby's strong serving game, which produced eight aces as a team, kept the Grizzlies out of system for much of the match, allowing the Trojans to dictate the tempo.

Prior to first serve, the Trojans honored their five sophomores, Caputi, Kattai, Byrd, Binda, and Cowdrey, for their dedication, leadership, and impact on the program. Adding to the emotion of the evening, the match was also part of the team's Hope Foundation "Pink Night", an annual event promoting breast cancer awareness and supporting those affected by the disease. Players and fans wore pink gear, and the gym was decorated with ribbons and signs symbolizing hope and strength.

Up next, the No. 13 Trojans face a crucial road test in Great Bend against the No. 6 Cougars. With both teams battling near the top of the conference standings and only a few matches remaining before postseason play begins, this matchup carries major implications. A win would give Colby the upper hand heading into the final stretch and set the tone for a strong postseason push.