No. 12 Blinn College volleyball remained unbeaten Tuesday with a 3-0 sweep of Hill College in its home opener at the Kruse Center in Brenham. The Buccaneers earned a 25-17, 25-16, 25-22 victory, improving to 5-0 on the season while recording their fifth consecutive sweep.
Hill challenged Blinn throughout the match, particularly during the early portions of each set, but the Buccaneers repeatedly found separation down the stretch. The Rebels opened the first set with a 3-0 advantage before Blinn battled back and eventually tied the score at 14-14. A kill from sophomore hitter Harris sparked an 11-3 run to close the set, and a Harris block followed by a Hill error secured the 25-17 opening-set victory.
The second set followed a similar pattern as the teams battled to another 14-14 tie. Freshman middle blocker London King gave Blinn the lead with a block at the net, beginning an 11-2 run by the Buccaneers. Freshman setter Valerie Yambao then connected with sophomore hitter McKynzee Beddes for the set-winning kill as Blinn took a 2-0 advantage in the match.
Hill continued to battle in the third set and pulled within 20-19 on a block, but Blinn responded with a 4-1 run to move within a point of the victory. Freshman hitter Nevaeh English delivered two kills during the run, while a Hill violation and hitting error helped push the Buccaneers toward match point. English then finished the contest with another kill to give Blinn the 25-22 victory and complete the sweep.
Harris led the Buccaneers offensively with 12 kills, followed by Beddes with eight and English with five. Yambao recorded 15 assists and freshman setter Skylar Herring added 11, while freshman libero/defensive specialist Karolynn Youngblood contributed two service aces.
Blinn also received strong defensive production throughout the match. Yambao led the floor defense with nine digs, while Herring recorded seven. At the net, the Buccaneers finished with 10 total blocks and 18 block assists. King and English each recorded five block assists, while sophomore middle blocker Alana Asante contributed four blocks, including one solo block. Harris added one solo block and one block assist.
Blinn will remain at home for the Kruse Kickoff Classic beginning Thursday at the Kruse Center. The Buccaneers open tournament play against Eastern Florida State College at 6 p.m. Thursday before facing a pair of nationally ranked opponents Friday. Blinn will take on No. 15 Indian Hills Community College at 11 a.m. and No. 2 Florida SouthWestern State College at 5 p.m.
The tournament concludes Saturday with Blinn facing Daytona State College at 11 a.m. and McLennan Community College at 5 p.m.
Blinn College has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and has captured 53 national championships since 1987.
