Dean leads Bucs past Navarro College, 3-1

CORSICANA, Texas – Freshman outside hitter Dylan Dean posted a season-high 13 kills to lift the 12th-ranked Blinn Buccaneers to a 3-1 victory over Navarro College here Friday night.

Blinn defeated Navarro 20-25, 25-13, 25-23, 26-24. The Buccaneers won without freshman middle blocker Bruna Evangelista, who missed the match due to a strained knee.

"We had to battle there in Games 3 and 4," Blinn (16-5, 5-2) coach Erin Mellinger said. "We applied a little pressure on Navarro and did a good job."

Dean posted a season-high 13 kills along with five digs, and freshman outside hitter Tyanna Roy added 12 kills and seven digs.

"Dylan did an amazing job and gave us kills in big situations," Mellinger said. "She made a huge difference tonight."

Setter Crystal Young added 38 assists and eight kills, and sophomore outside hitter Dani Schultz posted a .500 hitting percentage with nine kills and seven blocks. She committed just one hitting error in the match.

"Dani did an amazing job," Mellinger said. "She was huge."

Freshman middle blocker Emily Salter added six kills, while sophomore libero Cara Fisher posted a team-high 25 kills. Freshman Tori Estrada added 17 digs.

"We had a lot of people contribute," Mellinger said. "I'm very proud of my team and their response in pressure situations."

The Buccaneers will play their first home game in more than a month Tuesday when they host Lee College at 6 p.m. in the Blinn P.E. Building.

Gerig signs with LSU
April 12, 2012 Gerig signs with LSU