The second-ranked Blinn College volleyball team will honor its sophomores with a special exhibition at 6 p.m. today at the Blinn P.E. Building.

The defending national champion Buccaneers were scheduled to host Trinity Valley Community College for a non-conference match, but the Lady Cardinals were forced to cancel due to illness. As a result, the Buccaneers will play an intrasquad scrimmage and recognize the team's six sophomores.

Outside hitters Jaeda Allen, Trinity Alualu and Rachel Sharp, liberos Rebecca Proske and Alyssa LaMont and right-side hitter Rebecca Reeve will be honored after compiling a 71-4 record over the past two years and capturing last year's NJCAA national championship.

"They had good leadership last year and they've all stepped into the role of providing leadership to this year's freshmen," head coach Erin Mellinger said. "They went through a lot to get to the national tournament last year, so it says a lot about their character and the mental toughness they bring to the court every day."

Blinn will utilize the regulation officials and stat keepers it had scheduled for the match vs. Trinity Valley to maintain a game atmosphere. The match will provide a final tune-up before the Region XIV Tournament, which begins with a 3 p.m. match against Navarro on Friday, Nov. 7 at Lee College in Baytown.

"We really want people to show up tonight for our sophomores," Mellinger said. "They've given a lot to this program and they deserve to be recognized."

About Blinn College

Founded in 1883, Blinn is a comprehensive community college committed to educational excellence and to individual and community enhancement. With an enrollment of 19,317 students, Blinn ranks among the nation's leaders in transferring students to leading four-year universities and has received national recognition for its affordable educational excellence.

As part of its commitment to student success, Blinn is implementing a Quality Enhancement Plan titled "Destination Success: First-Year Focus," which utilizes learning communities to support first-year college students.

For enrollment information and to learn about financial aid opportunities, visit: www.blinn.edu.