#13 BLINN VOLLEYBALL DROPS A ROAD MATCH TO #3 TYLER
The 13th-ranked Blinn College volleyball team battled No. 3 Tyler Junior College in a Region 14 road match Tuesday in Tyler, Texas, but ultimately fell in four sets.
The Apaches prevailed 25-13, 21-25, 25-20, 25-23, handing the Bucs a 22-6 overall record and a 4-5 mark in region play.
“We were competitive against one of the hottest teams in the nation,” Blinn head coach Gregg Whitis said, “but we never had control of the match, and Tyler was the better team tonight.”
Blinn responded to a difficult opening set with its best frame of the match in the second, recording 15 kills and hitting .444 to even the match at one set apiece.
Sophomore outside hitter Aliyah Harris led the Bucs with 19 kills while hitting .390. She also contributed three blocks and four digs. Sophomore middle blocker Alana Asante added seven kills while hitting .333, and freshman Brandi Johnson finished with eight kills.
“We responded to a rough first set with what was the best set of the match in the second set,” Whitis said. “It was also a really good effort by Aliyah Harris; a really courageous effort and I’m really proud of her.”
The Bucs totaled 45 kills and 45 assists, with freshman setter Valerie Yambao leading the way with 27 assists. Freshman setter Skylar Herring added 16 assists and paced Blinn with nine digs.
The Bucs almost rallied in both the third and fourth sets but struggled to overcome key runs by the Apaches.
Blinn fell behind 8-1 in the third set after getting stuck in a difficult rotation, then nearly erased the deficit before Tyler clinched the set.
In the fourth, the teams were tied 17-17 when the Apaches used a 5-1 run to take a 22-18 lead. The Bucs made another push but could not complete the comeback.
Blinn finished with 39 digs and seven service aces. Freshman libero/defensive specialist Karolynn Youngblood recorded four digs and an ace, while Herring added two aces. The Bucs also recorded eight team blocks.
Tyler has now won 17 consecutive matches and leads Region 14 with an 8-0 record.
Whitis also gave Johnson and freshman hitter Nicky’Anna Miles – who have served a reserve role for most of the season – extended opportunities against the nationally ranked Apaches. Miles had one kill, two aces, and two block assists.
“It was good for them to be out there and feel the pressure of playing against a really good team,” Whitis said.
The Bucs return home for a Region 14 matchup against Panola College at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Kruse Center in Brenham, Texas.