BLINN VOLLEYBALL PREPARING TO OPEN THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT ON WEDNESDAY

Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information

The sixth-ranked Blinn College Buccaneers are in the tournament for a fifth consecutive season with their highest seed since 2021 as they check in at number four in the bracket. 

Making its 15th nationals appearance in program history, Blinn (38-2) will open play against 13th-seeded Colby Community College (Colby, Kan.) at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday), at the Winfield Dunn Center on the campus of Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. 

"I like being in the national tournament regardless of where we're seeded or who we're playing," seventh-year Bucs head coach Terry Gamble said. "I do like being number four; it's a good spot and something our kids have earned, but any seed is a good seed when you're playing for a national championship." 

Also earning tournament berths were Blinn's Region XIV counterparts, Navarro College (seeded 11th) and Trinity Valley Community College (seeded 12th). 

The Bucs took a big step forward this fall after qualifying for nationals as an 11th-seeded at-large team in 2023. This season, Blinn left nothing to chance by capturing the Region XIV regular-season crown and securing an automatic nationals bid by winning the Region XIV Tournament. 

As they look to bring home the program's fifth national title, the Bucs have their highest seed since entering the tournament at number one in 2021. Standing in Blinn's way is Colby, a talented team representing Region 6. The Trojans are 26-4 overall and finished 14-2 in their region, with three of their setbacks coming at the hands of fellow tournament qualifiers Northeastern Junior College (seeded fifth) and Barton Community College (sixth). 

Bucs sophomore libero Kirby Kliafas said facing some unfamiliar faces on the other side of the net is a challenging and exciting development. 

"We're all excited," she said. "I know there will be some nerves for some of us because it's the national tournament and we're starting with a new team, but I think that's what makes it fun. We still have to go out and compete and play our game, and I think we're ready for anything." 

Having a higher seed is an advantage, but upsets are expected given the unpredictable nature of a 16-team bracket. Though top-seeded Florida Southwestern State College returns to the tournament after winning back-to-back championships (2022-23) as the top team in the field, Gamble is confident any team can find itself on top at the end. 

"All 16 teams in the tournament are really good and deserve to be in there," Gamble stated, "and all 16 teams can beat anybody on any given day. It should make for a fun tournament." 

For a full bracket, schedule, and results, visit www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/wvball/div1/index. 

All matches except for the championship match on Saturday, Nov. 23, will be broadcast on the NJCAA Network. The championship will be aired by ESPN Plus.