CONCORDIA, Kansas- The Cloud County Community College volleyball team struggled to put the pieces together Saturday when it hosted Colby Community College as the T-Birds fell in straight sets: 25-14, 25-11 and 25-14.

Cloud County (9-10 overall, 3-4 KJCCC) got off to a good start, battling point for point with the visiting Trojans and a 13-11 lead following an ace from sophomore defensive specialist Bailey Lewis, giving her a team-high 20 aces on the season thus far.

The Trojans (14-4 overall, 6-1 KJCCC) countered, though, as they rattled off a 14-1 run, spanning two T-Birds' timeouts, to grab the momentum and the first set, 25-14.

The T-Birds were unable to bounce back from the shocking turn of events in the first set as Colby jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the second. Cloud County trailed by as many as 11 points in the second set, but were able to rally within six points at 17-11. But, again, the Trojans answered as they finished the second set on an 8-0 run to win 25-11.

After falling down 9-4 early in the third set, the T-Birds put together their best stretch of volleyball of the day, going on a 5-0 blitz to tie the score at 9-9 and force the first Trojans timeout of the match. As was the theme Saturday, however, the T-Birds were unable to build off the momentum as the Trojans responded with a 9-1 run to take a 18-10 lead and provide some cushion. They'd go on to win the third set 25-14 to complete the sweep.

The T-Birds were led by redshirt freshman Drew Mann with six kills, while freshman Katelyn Ruth added two kills. Freshman middle blocker Elizabeth Nobert, the T-Birds leader in kills with 169 on the season, was uncharacteristically quiet Saturday as she finished with one kill.

Sophomore outside hitter Cara Flach had a team-high 11 assists to go along with seven digs. Lewis was the team-leader in digs with nine.

Cloud County will look to rebound from the loss when it travels to take on Dodge City Community College at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.