No. 13 Trojans Push No. 5 Barton to the Limit, Await National Tournament Selection

HAYS, Kan. — The No. 13 Colby Community College volleyball team left everything on the court Saturday afternoon at Gross Memorial Coliseum, but fell just short in a five-set battle to No. 5 Barton Community College in the Plains District Championship. In a match that perfectly reflected the grit of both teams, the Trojans dropped a heartbreaker, 3-2 (25-14, 22-25, 25-21, 20-25, 18-20).

It was the third meeting between Colby and Barton this season, and for the third time, it went the distance. The Trojans and Cougars split their regular season matchups, each claiming a five-set victory, setting the stage for a dramatic championship showdown with an automatic bid to the NJCAA National Tournament on the line.

Sophomore outside hitter Karlotta Kattai once again led the Colby attack, powering down a team-high 19 kills to go with two aces and 11 digs for a match-best 21 points. Ella Dridi followed with another strong two-way performance, recording 18 kills, 18 digs, and an ace. Setter Amanda Caputi continued her command of the offense, distributing 58 assists while adding five kills, five block assists, and five service aces, a standout all-around performance that kept the Trojans within striking distance throughout the five-set thriller.

In the middle, Isadora Carrareto and Isabella Martins provided consistent production at the net, combining for 18 kills and 10 total blocks. Carrareto finished with 11 kills and seven block assists, while Martins contributed seven kills, three block assists, and an ace. Lena Mihaljica added nine kills and two blocks, while Anita Ferri anchored the back row with a team-high 23 digs and four assists.

As a team, Colby hit .178 for the match with 69 kills, 20 total blocks, and 12 service aces, showcasing both offensive firepower and defensive resilience against one of the nation's top-ranked programs. Colby finished the year 24-7 overall, earning national recognition throughout the season and battling toe-to-toe with some of the top teams in the NJCAA.

Now, the Trojans turn their attention to the NJCAA National Tournament Selection Show, which will be held Wednesday (Nov. 12) at 1 p.m. CST. Sitting at No. 13 nationally, Colby is in a strong position for an at-large bid, but as postseason fate often reminds, nothing is guaranteed. The Trojans will wait with anticipation to see if their season continues on the national stage.

Selection Show