BLINN SPLITS SEASON OPENING MATCHES AT WEATHERFORD

The 11th-ranked Blinn College volleyball team opened the season with one win and one loss at the Weatherford Tournament on Friday in Weatherford, Texas.

The Buccaneers started the day with a sweep of Dallas College Richland before falling to Weatherford College in three sets.

"I thought we played hard, but we made too many mistakes to beat a good team, which Weatherford is," Blinn head coach Terry Gamble said. "If we can clean up our side of the net, we have the potential to be pretty good."

The Buccaneers earned a 25-7, 25-11, 25-12 win over Richland to start the day, led by an eight-kill showing from sophomore Brooke Pattschull.

Sophomore Taylor Glendening added six kills to the offensive effort, while sophomore Jaedyn Newman tallied five. At the service line, freshman Cierra Pesak had five aces. 

On defense, Pesak recorded 14 digs from the libero position.

Weatherford handed Blinn its first setback of the season with a 25-20, 25-18, 25-18 triumph over the Bucs.

Newman and freshman Kellen Dorotik paced Blinn with seven kills apiece, followed by six for freshman Lexi Higgins and five each for Pattschull and sophomore Taylor Glendening. Freshman Kirby Kliafas had a pair of service aces.

Pesak totaled 14 more digs on defense. 

The Bucs continue tournament play with tilts against Independence Community College (9 a.m.) and Dallas College North Lake (1 p.m.) today (Saturday) in Weatherford.

(Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information)