Twelfth-ranked Blinn College volleyball ran its winning streak to 13 consecutive matches with a pair of victories on the final day of the Kruse Kickoff Classic on Saturday at the Kruse Center in Brenham, Texas.
The Buccaneers defeated both North Central Texas College and Central Wyoming College in four sets to finish the Classic with a 4-0 record while improving to 14-1 overall.
“I am really proud of how the team fought through the end of the two matches today when we were not playing our best,” Blinn head coach Terry Gamble said. “This was a really tough tournament and I thought the girls played really hard. Kellen Dorotik was incredible offensively, and if we keep continuing to get better, we’re going to be a pretty good volleyball team.”
(Pictured: Blinn College freshman hitter Kellen Dorotik spikes the ball during a match against Central Wyoming College on Sept. 2, 2023)
Dorotik shined for the Bucs, finishing the day with 39 total kills. She now has 162 on the season, which is third best in NJCAA Division I and just five off the national lead.
The freshman right-side hitter helped the Bucs earn a 25-8, 25-16, 19-25, 25-17 win over North Central to start their day.
Sophomore hitters Jaedyn Newman and Kaylen Kruse added eight and seven kills, respectively, to give the Blinn offense a boost. Freshman setter Elizabeth Tyner continued her strong play with 42 set assists against the Lions. At the service line, freshman hitter/libero Kirby Kliafas knocked down four aces, while sophomore middle blocker Taylor Glendening had two and freshman libero Cierra Pesak had one.
(Pictured: Blinn College sophomore middle blocker Taylor Glendening sends the ball over the net against Central Wyoming College on Sept. 2, 2023)
On the defensive side, Pesak, Tyner, and Dorotik had 16, 12, and 10 digs, respectively. Tyner and sophomore middle blocker Brooke Pattschull had two solo blocks apiece. Pattschull also had two block assists, as did Dorotik.
The Bucs finished the tournament with a 25-10, 25-12, 18-25, 25-20 triumph over Central Wyoming.
Dorotik’s 15 kills paced the Blinn attack, with Newman adding 13 and Kruse and freshman outside hitter Lexi Higgins each chipping in nine. Tyner had 43 set assists, and Newman, Glendening, Pesak, Kliafas, and freshman libero Emma Whitsel had one service ace apiece.
Anchoring the defense for Blinn were Pesak (18 digs), Tyner (13) and Newman (10). Glendening and Tyner had three block assists, while both Pattschull and Dorotik finished with a pair.
Blinn’s season continues when it resumes Region XIV play with a matchup at No. 3 Trinity Valley at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5, in Athens, Texas.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 44 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
