CASPER, Wyo. – Blinn College volleyball only had one rough set in beating Missouri State University – West Plains 3-1 to earn seventh place at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament Friday afternoon inside the Casper Events Center.
The Buccaneers didn’t reach their ultimate goal in a national title but finished with a win on the season by the score 25-20, 14-25, 25-17 and 25-23. Blinn ended the year with a 31-12 record in Kalie Mader’s first year as head coach.
“I am just proud of the girls for finishing on a strong note,” Mader said.
Abolanle Onipede was the only Blinn player with double digits in kills with 12 in her final match in a Blinn uniform. Alexis Kingston added nine kills while Eboni Mitchell had eight. Jordyn Keamo delivered 39 assists in the match. Keamo finished with the second-most assists in a season with 1,499 and second-most assists in a career at Blinn with 2,514.
Danusia Borgeaud led in digs with 18 while Barbara Krug finished with 13 in the win.
Blinn came out strong in the opening set as Mitchell delivered a kill for an early 5-2 lead. West Plains fought back but the Buccaneers would maintain momentum as Kingston earned a kill to make the score 18-14. Blinn was able to win the opening set 25-20. The second set was a forgettable one for Blinn as West Plains won easily 25-14 to knot the sets at 1-1.
The Buccaneers were able to recover in the third set as a kill from Borgeaud earned a 14-10 lead. Kingston was strong down the stretch as Blinn won 25-17 to take a 2-1 lead.
The fourth set was tight throughout and was even tied 23-23 near the end. Borgeaud was able to get a kill to make it 24-23 and then a West Plains mistake gave Blinn seventh place with a 25-23 victory.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 32 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
