Panola earned a 25-17, 17-25, 25-22, 25-20 victory over the Buccaneers, who finished the regular season at 29-8 overall and 10-6 in region play.
Blinn, Panola, and Tyler Junior College are each 10-6 in Region XIV this season and tiebreaker rules will be needed to determine the conference’s third, fourth, and fifth seeds for the region tournament. The tournament begins Friday, Nov. 4. Seedings will be announced in the coming days.
The Buccaneers will look to rebound in the region tournament following a tough loss to the Fillies.
A nice second set wasn’t enough to propel the Buccaneers to a match win, as Panola sent the hosts to their second consecutive setback.
(Pictured: Blinn College sophomore hitter Kierslynn Wright, 11, sends the ball over the net during a match against Panola College on Oct. 29)
Blinn sophomore outside hitter Kierslynn Wright and sophomore libero Ellie Turner were both recognized as part of the Bucs’ Sophomore Day festivities prior to the match, and the duo shined on their day.
Freshman hitter LaNeah Lara had a team-best 20 kills for Blinn, but Wright was right behind her with 19. Wright was briefly out of the NJCAA Division I national lead for total kills but regained the top spot at 528. She holds the edge over Vincennes University’s Paige Parlanti (520).
Turner had 39 digs to lead the Bucs and padded her NJCAA DI lead with 871 on the season. Freshman utility Kaylen Kruse added 15 digs, Wright had 14, and freshman setter Darby Nash chipped in 12.
(Pictured: Blinn College sophomore libero Ellie Turner dives for a dig during a match against Panola College on Oct. 29)
Nash also had 44 set assists from her offensive role. Turner added a pair of aces from the service line.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
