Buccaneers complete clean sweep at Wrangler Classic

ODESSA, Texas – The top-ranked Blinn College volleyball team completed a perfect sweep through the Wrangler Classic Saturday, sweeping Coastal Bend and Midland to finish a perfect 4-0 in the tournament.

Blinn defeated Coastal Bend 25-10, 25-10, 25-13 and Midland 25-14, 25-7, 25-15, giving the Buccaneers sweeps in all four of their tournament matches. On the season, the undefeated Buccaneers have swept 11 of their 12 opponents.

Freshman middle blocker Haley Howard had a team-high six kills and four blocks and finished the match with a .363 hitting percentage. Sophomore libero Rebecca Proske led the defense with 10 digs, while freshman setter Justus Tuiolosega dished out nine assists.

The Buccaneers finished with eight team blocks.

Against Midland, Tawnee Luafalemana posted a team-high 10 kills, hitting .470 for the match, and added five blocks. Abolanle Onipede posted eight kills without committing an error to finish with a .500 hitting percentage, and Xena Moss added five kills while hitting .555.

Tuiolosega dished out 19 assists, and Jordyn Keamo had a double-double with 13 assists and 10 digs. Sophomore Alyssa LaMont led the defense with 15 digs.

On Monday, Mellinger and the Buccaneer sophomores will appear on KWHI 1280-AM's "Sports Line" to discuss the early season. That broadcast will be streamed online at www.kwhi.com. Blinn will then return to the court Tuesday when it travels to Baytown for a 6 p.m. match vs. Lee College.