BUCS SIGN NATIONAL LETTERS-OF-INTENT

Four Blinn student-athletes sign with four-year programs

Four Blinn College student athletes signed with four-year universities on Tuesday, including three from the 2013 national championship volleyball team.

Softball player Sydney Wellmann signed with St. Mary’s University, while three members of Blinn’s national championship volleyball team signed national letters of intent – Bruna Evangelista signed with the University of Alabama, Crystal Young will play at Colorado State University and Katey Kyle is headed to the University of Louisiana – Lafayette.

Thirteen Blinn student-athletics have signed with four-year collegiate programs since Sept. 1.

Sydney Wellmann (center)
Sydney Wellmann (center)

Sydney Wellmann, Softball, St. Mary’s University

There’s no doubt in head coach Rick Church’s mind: Sydney Wellmann is the best defensive first baseman he’s had in his 15 years at Blinn.

“I can say that unequivocally,” Church said. “She’s also been a consistent offensive component to our team. She’s a .350 hitter who’s really fulfilled her role as the No. 4 hitter admirably.”

Through 40 games this season, Wellmann is batting at a .347 clip, has driven in a team-best 49 RBI, scored 32 runs and has 43 hits—24 for extra bases.

“I recently went on a visit and loved it,” she said. “It’s not a big campus, I loved the coaches and the players and it felt like a really good fit for me.”

St. Mary’s, an NCAA Division II program, is 41-8 this season with two series remaining before the Heartland Conference Tournament begins May 1.

“The past two years at Blinn have been awesome,” she said. “I love the coaches and have a huge respect for them and how they run the program.”

Buc Volleyball Signees: (l-r) Bruna Evangelista, Crystal Young & Katey Kyle.
Buc Volleyball Signees: (l-r) Bruna Evangelista, Crystal Young & Katey Kyle.

Bruna Evangelista, Volleyball, University of Alabama

Evangelista was heavily courted by the nation’s top Division I programs before selecting Alabama.

“They have a really good volleyball program, they’re a really good university and I know I will have the help and support I need to continue to grow as a volleyball player,” she said.

The Crimson Tide finished their 2013 campaign 24-10 overall (10-7 in SEC play) and lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Oklahoma.

The two-time All-American was named the MVP at the national tournament this season and capped off a two-year Blinn career that includes 852 kills (3.56 per set) and a .383 hitting percentage.

“Blinn helped me with everything,” Evangelista said. “I grew so much as a volleyball player and as a person.”

Crystal Young, Volleyball, Colorado State University

For Young, Colorado State University felt like a home away from home.

“I was just looking for a school where I could play at a high level and also find really good people to be around,” Young said. “Colorado State gave me everything I was looking for combined into one place.”

During the national tournament, Young broke the program’s single-season assist record set by Sara Streets in 2000-01. She finished the season with 1,546 assists (10.96 per set) and a Blinn career with 2,367 assists, second all-time in program history.

Colorado State finished its 2013 season 28-2, including wins over Baylor and Texas A&M, and lost to in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Cal State Northridge in five sets.

Katey Kyle, Volleyball, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

A transfer from the University of Houston, Kyle made her single season at Blinn count.

Kyle had 72 kills, 43 digs and 38 assisted blocks, and her best performance of the season came Nov. 10 in the Region XIV championship game against Tyler when she posted 10 kills and a .714 winning percentage. The Bucs went on to sweep Tyler to claim the championship.

Kyle signed with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Tuesday after receiving interest from West Texas A&M and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

“I liked the atmosphere, the coaches and when I went on a visit I just felt an instant connection with the girls,” Kyle said.

The Ragin Cajuns finished 19-14 last season and reached the Sun Belt Conference finals.

For more information on Blinn athletics, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(Story & photos courtesy: Matt Keyser, Blinn Infromation)

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