BRENHAM, Texas – Sophomore middle blocker Cassidy Melcher posted a season-high 11 kills here Saturday afternoon to lead the 12th-ranked Blinn Buccaneers to a sweep of Laredo Community College at the Blinn P.E. Building.
Blinn defeated Laredo 25-17, 25-20, 25-20 thanks in large part to Melcher's big day. The sophomore from Giddings hit .381 and added three blocks for the defense.
Melcher has seen increased playing time in recent weeks due to an injury to fellow middle blocker Bruna Evangelista.
"She hasn't played in a ton of games, but the fact that she could come in and step up says a lot about our bench," Blinn (19-5, 8-2) coach Erin Mellinger said. "I'm proud of the way Cassidy played today."
Freshman outside hitters Tyanna Roy and Hope Cucancic each had six kills and freshman middle blocker Emily Salter, who had a match-high four blocks, added five kills.
"We kept the ball in play and they made errors," Mellinger said. "That's where I think we can get better at now, is to not just keep the ball in play but to have an aggressive swing. That's what we'll be working on the next few days."
Blinn's defense held Laredo to a .016 hitting percentage on the day, including negative hitting percentages in the first two sets. In addition to eight team blocks, the Buccaneers were led by 14 digs from sophomore libero Cara Fisher 11 apiece from Crystal Young and Tori Estrada.
Young led the Buccaneers with 24 assists.
"We're giving up some points there that I would rather not give up, but overall I want to get better every time we step on the floor and that's what today was about," Mellinger said. "We've gotten better over the last two weeks and ultimately that's what you're looking to do at this point in the season."
The Buccaneers will now carry a four-match win streak into Tuesday's 6 p.m. home match against Wharton County Junior College. Tuesday will be Blinn's annual Dig Pink night, and two breast cancer survivors will be honored prior to the match. Door prizes will also be awarded.
