No. 12 Blinn College volleyball is taking a bit of a “no days off” approach this week, and the Buccaneers are thriving.
On day two of a run of seven games in five days, Blinn made quick work of Temple College via a 25-16, 25-10, 25-12 sweep Wednesday at the Kruse Center in Brenham, Texas.
The Bucs (15-2) have won eight consecutive matches – including sweeps in their last three – as they prepare for a road trip to Vernon College on Thursday and the two-day, four-game Amarillo Tournament on Friday.
(Pictured: Blinn sophomore hitter Kellen Dorotik spikes the ball over the net during a match against Temple College on Sept. 11, 2024)
“Regionals is three days, nationals is four days; so, the grind is tough right now, but we know this part of our schedule is getting us ready for the goals we’re trying to achieve,” sophomore right-side hitter Kellen Dorotik said. “We know that if we want to accomplish what we’re hoping to accomplish, we need to be ready for anything. It’s challenging, but this team is together and ready.”
Blinn head coach Terry Gamble said he configured his team’s non-region schedule this season with a focus on readying his team for the demands of the postseason, and performances like Wednesday night’s could be an indication the Bucs are buying in.
“We wanted to make sure these girls are ready for the toughest part of our year, and we put this specific week together with that in mind,” the coach said. “In the midst of all that, I think we’re getting better and seeing some great things from the team.”
Dorotik led the charge against Temple with 17 kills as she continued her reign as NJCAA Division I’s kills leader. The 2023 second-team all-American 282 on the year.
(Pictured: Blinn freshman blocker Karolina Karabasz sends the ball over the net during a match against Temple College on Sept. 11, 2024)
Complimenting the offensive attack were freshman outside hitters Greta Rakow and MaKenna Loo, who chipped in nine and six kills, respectively. Freshman middle blocker Karolina Karabasz added seven.
In the middle of the attack were freshman setters Bromli Watson and Leah Hoss, who have recently been equally dispatched to run the offense. The two setters dished out 19 set assists apiece.
Watson has been used both for her setting and her effective blocking ability on defense, while Hoss has emerged as a consistent distributor for the Bucs.
“I’ve learned how to be a role player on the team and how to generate energy for our team from the bench,” Hoss said, “and now I’m able to bring that same energy to the court and use it to help the team in action. I’m definitely starting to get comfortable out there, I’m starting to see certain things and make calls to our hitters for us to be more effective. I know I’ll get better at those things but it’s going well right now.”
At the service line, Loo, Rakow, and freshman libero Cierra Pesak each served up two aces.
(Pictured: Blinn freshman setter Leah Hoss sets the ball during a match against Temple College on Sept. 11, 2024)
The Blinn defense controlled the match from the floor to the tune of 41 digs, with Loo securing a team-high 14. Freshman libero Sophie Ilagan had seven, and sophomore libero Kirby Kliafas, Pesak, and Rakow tallied four apiece.
Blinn will face Vernon at 2 p.m. on Thursday in Vernon, Texas. On Friday, the Bucs open the Amarillo Tournament with a 2 p.m. matchup against Frank Phillips College, followed by a 7 p.m. bout against Western Texas College. On Saturday, Blinn will battle Amarillo College at 9 a.m. and end the competition against Independence Community College at 11:30 a.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 49 national championships since 1987.
