TYLER, Texas – Passing was a strength for No. 7 Blinn College volleyball and it was enough to sweep North Central Texas College 3-0 to wrap up the Ronda Shirley Classic Saturday afternoon in Tyler.
The Buccaneers had results flipped on them in the first match as No. 15 Missouri State University – West Plains swept Blinn to begin the day. The Buccaneers finished the day 1-1 and wrapped up the opening weekend with a 2-2 record to begin the season.
“This weekend I learned that we need to grow a lot,” said Kalie Mader, Blinn head coach. “We have a lot of talent but we need to mature.”
West Plains 3 – Blinn 0
Blinn started out with a strong set and narrowly lost 27-25 but then the Buccaneers let mistakes compound into more mistakes until West Plains won the match in a 3-0 sweep by the score 27-25, 25-7 and 25-21.
The second set was rough for Blinn as it committed 18 errors and only scored seven points. The Buccaneers rebounded in the third set to make it much closer but West Plains was able to keep its momentum for the sweep.
Paolo Maria Salas Adorno led Blinn with 12 kills with a .571 hitting percentage and added 13 digs. Alexis Kingston had six kills and eight digs. Shayla Eugene had 11 digs and Ally Lanik dished out 24 assists in the loss.
Blinn 3 – North Central Texas 0
Not wanting to leave the Ronda Shirley Classic with a losing record, Blinn rebounded in the final match and used a lethal passing attack to sweep North Central Texas 3-0 by the score 26-24, 25-15 and 25-21.
Danusia Sipa Borgeaud, who started the season mainly playing defense, switched to a hitting position and led Blinn with 12 kills and 21 digs. Kingston and Ashleigh Traylor pitched in eight kills each. Bradyn Rice earned 11 digs and Lanik dished out 32 assists. Serving was also a strength for Blinn with six aces compared to only five service errors.
Blinn will be on the road for the Military Classic held at San Jacinto College-South in Pasadena. The Buccaneers will open up with Hillsborough College on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 5 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 34 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
