Blinn College volleyball’s fantastic season has been recognized with a bounty of Region XIV awards.
The sixth-ranked Buccaneers, who will head to the NJCAA Division I Volleyball Championship Tournament next week, were the recipients of eight accolades, including two of the region’s top awards.
Head coach Terry Gamble, in his seventh campaign with Blinn, earned his third Region XIV Coach of the Year nod after leading his team to an impressive 38-2 overall record, a 14-0 region mark, the Region XIV Tournament championship, and a fifth consecutive berth in the national tournament.
(Pictured: Blinn sophomore hitter spikes the ball over the net against Navarro College on Nov. 10, 2024)
All awards were voted up by the region’s eight head coaches.
“It’s a big congratulations to our players, and it’s great to see them recognized by the other coaches in the conference,” Gamble said. “For me, the credit goes to the girls for listening to our coaching and going out and performing. They’ve all excelled in the jobs we’ve asked them to do.”
Elsewhere, sophomore right-side hitter Kellen Dorotik was named the Region XIV Player of the Year one season after sharing the honor as a freshman in 2023. Dorotik also landed on the all-region first team. In her second Blinn campaign, Dorotik leads NJCAA Division I with 642 kills and 4.79 kills per set. With a team-high 108 blocks, Dorotik’s defense has also stood out this season.
Additionally, Dorotik made history this fall by becoming the Buccaneers’ all-time leader in kills, a record that currently sits at 1,164.
(Pictured: Blinn sophomore libero Cierra Pesak receives a serve during a match against Navarro College on Nov. 10, 2024)
“It was a big honor earning co-player of the year last season, but winning it on my own this year shows my improvements as a player and how hard I’ve worked to get better,” Dorotik said. “It isn’t all about me, though. I love seeing Blinn names up and down the awards list because my teammates are so important to what we’ve accomplished this year and they contribute just as much as I do. Having six players on the all-region list is a testament to how hard we all work in practice and the effort we bring every day.”
Sophomore libero Cierra Pesak has also had a big year in her second season at Blinn, making the all-region first team for her reliable defense and serve receive abilities. On the year, Pesak has tallied 379 digs while also boasting an 89% receiving percent on 377 attempts.
Also making the first team were freshman outside hitter MaKenna Loo and freshman setter/blocker Bromli Watson.
(Pictured: Blinn freshman hitter MaKenna Loo tips the ball over the net during a matcg against Lee College on Oct. 15, 2024)
Loo has emerged as a viable weapon behind Dorotik, racking up 456 kills (sixth in the nation), while providing remarkable defense to the tune of 389 digs, 36 block assists and six solo blocks. She also sports a nifty 89% on serve receives in 891 chances and is second on the team with 54 service aces.
Watson has shined in a dual role for the Bucs, acting as Blinn’s secondary setter while also providing stellar defense at the net. Watson is second on the team with 727 set assists to go with 44 assisted blocks and nine solos.
Freshman outside hitter Greta Rakow and freshman middle blocker Jana Cetkovic made the all-region second team.
(Pictured: Blinn freshman setter/blocker Bromli Watson blocks a ball over the net during a match against Panola College on Nov. 10, 2024)
Rakow has been a sturdy offensive option and potent serve at the line as she’s tallied 286 kills and a team-leading 78 service aces.
Cetkovic has made her mark at the net this season with 107 blocks (96 assists, 11 solos) to go with 98 kills and 48 digs.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 49 national championships since 1987.
