The volleyball team became a varsity sport at Colby in 1991 after previously being a club program.

In its brief 14-year history the team has won six Maine State Championships, been NESCAC runner-up once, and received one Eastern College Athletic Conference Tournament bid.

Outside hitter Jackie Bates '98 (Spokane, Wash.) first put the program on the map with her incredible all-around abilities. For her accomplishments, Bates was the first volleyball player to have her jersey retired.

Colby has had three straight 20-plus win seasons in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The Mules were 8-2 in conference play in 2002 and 2003 and was seeded second in 2002 and third in 2003 for the NESCAC Championships.

The program has made significant strides and is respected as one of the top teams in the region, having ended the 2003 season ranked ninth in New England. Senior setter Kimberly Prescott and sophomore outside hitter Cait Cleaver were the first Colby players selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Regional All-American Team in 2003.