BUC VOLLEYBALL GOES 2-2 IN TYLER TO OPEN SEASON

FRIDAY

TYLER, Texas – No. 7 Blinn College volleyball used a consistent and solid effort to open the 2016 season with a 3-0 sweep Friday afternoon over Midland College by the score of 25-15, 25-21 and 25-21 in the Ronda Shirley Classic in Tyler.

The Buccaneers weren’t able to keep the momentum going as No. 10 Salt Lake Community College was able to battle back from dropping the first set to beat Blinn 3-1. The Buccaneers lost by the score 25-23, 18-25, 15-25 and 17-25 to hold a 1-1 record after the first day of the new season.

Blinn 3 – Midland 0

Blinn used a .306 team hitting percentage to grab control of the match against Midland and didn’t let up in earning the sweep.

The Buccaneers started fast in taking the first set 25-15 as Midland kept it a little closer in the second and third but Blinn was able to hold on for the sweep.

Paola Maria Salas Adorno tied for the team high in kills with 10 in only 20 attempts for a .500 hitting percentage while adding six digs in the win. Alexis Kingston also picked up 10 kills and added nine digs for Blinn. Eboni Mitchell added nine kills with a .263 hitting percentage.

“We came out and played with conviction and took care of business and the team looked like they were having fun,” said Kalie Mader, Blinn head coach.

Ally Lanik led the Buccaneers with 34 assists while Danusia Sipa Borgeaud came up with 20 digs in the win.

Salt Lake 3 – Blinn 1

Blinn had the wrong type of momentum going against Salt Lake as the Buccaneers let one mistake snowball into more and Salt Lake took advantage with a 3-1 victory.

Blinn did start out on the right path winning the first set 25-23 but the fast pace of Salt Lake proved to overwhelm the Buccaneers. Blinn went on to lose three consecutive sets for the four-set loss.

Adorno led the Buccaneers in kills with 16 and added 17 digs. Mitchell added 11 kills while Kingston chipped in with eight kills and 16 digs. Lanik dished out 39 assists and earned five digs in the loss.

Aside from the mistakes, Blinn’s hitting percentage was much lower in the second match as the Buccaneers hit .123 as a team compared to the .306 hitting percentage against Midland earlier in the day.

“We are young in some positions,” Mader said. “Inconsistently hurt us and we got a little frazzled on the court.”

SATURDAY

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.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(Story courtesy: Jake Gordon, Blinn Information)