(Pictured from left: Alexandria Jackson, Jordan Bell, and Kara Papadimitrio)

Following three seasons as an assistant coach for the Blinn College men’s and women’s soccer teams, Jackson begins her first season as head coach of the women’s program. 

“The biggest thing is building off the success we’ve had before,” Jackson said. “We have players here who have made the playoffs, so that has to be our minimum expectation of success. Anything we do this season, next season, and in the future needs to be focused on achieving at least that and beyond.” 

The Buccaneers have stacked two consecutive playoff berths together after again qualifying for the Region XIV Tournament in 2021. Jackson hopes that those postseason berths evolve into deeper playoff runs, and believes her program is already set up for continued success. 

“We’re a young team, so it’s important that we understand that at times we’ll be driven and defined by progress,” Jackson said. “First and foremost, it’s going to be about making the playoffs, getting our players to the next level, and showing progress as a program. From there, we want to build this team into a force in Region XIV.” 

Jackson’s first Blinn team as head coach will be loaded with new faces as 19 freshmen and transfers will don Blinn blue for the first time. Six players from last year’s playoff team return in defenders Jordan Bell, Kara Papadimitrio, Nathalie Hernandez, and Taiya Mitchell, forward Dejah Marsh, and midfielder Anissa Chairez. 

“We’re very connected; we get along well, and on the field, just the way we pass the ball and find each other, you can see that connection developing already,” Bell said. “Coach Jackson has set the standard high for all of us, and we want to meet and exceed that standard, and we know we can. Last year, we went to the playoffs, and we want to continue to raise the bar.” 

Blinn opens its season against Crush FC at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Hohlt Park’s Rankin Field in Brenham. That match will be the Buccaneers’ lone non-conference warmup before they host Region XIV foe Paris Junior College at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3. 

Blinn’s region is expected to be among NJCAA’s best again this season, with 2021 region champion Tyler Junior College finishing as the national runner-up. Tyler enters the season ranked second in the NJCAA’s preseason top 20 poll, with Region XIV members Navarro College (No. 10) and Angelina College (No. 18) also cracking the list. 

“It’s going to be tough, and we know that, but our plan is to beat some teams that we fell short against last season and add some wins to our win column,” Papadimitrio said. “We know we can get through this region and make the playoffs, and we want to do it again.” 

Added Jackson: “Our region is one of the best you can play in in the NJCAA. It’s important for us to focus game-by-game, starting with Paris Junior College, and preparing for each opponent to the best of our ability. Even in this tough conference, though, the expectations are high with our returners, and they expect to return to the playoffs.” 

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.