CASPER, Wyo. – With a chance to get into the fifth place match at nationals, Blinn College came out flat and Iowa Western Community College took advantage with a 3-0 victory in the consolation bracket of the NJCAA Division I National Tournament Friday evening inside the Casper Events Center.

The Buccaneers missed out on a chance for the fifth place match but will still have a chance at seventh place Saturday, Nov. 21 against Missouri State University-West Plains at 1:30 p.m. Following the Iowa Western loss by the score 25-15, 25-19 and 25-21, the Blinn record falls to 30-12 overall.

Abolanle Onipede and Eboni Mitchell led with seven kills in the loss. Jordyn Keamo led with 12 assists while Ally Lanik came on to deliver 11 assists. Dana Teets led with 16 digs and Keamo earned 11.

The first set was a rough one for Blinn as Iowa Western grabbed a 19-14 lead and then won six of the next seven points to take the first set 25-15.

The second set didn't start out so well for the Buccaneers either as Iowa Western scored the first five points but Blinn recovered nicely. Blinn came back to tie at 8-8 after a kill from Onipede but it was Iowa Western grabbed the momentum and a 2-0 lead in sets with a 25-19 victory.

The third set was just as close, which turned out to be the best set for the Buccaneers. Blinn took an 18-17 lead after a kill from Mitchell. The match was tied 20-20 after an ace from Gabby Hernandez but Blinn was only able to score one more point the rest of the way as Iowa Western sealed the sweep with a 25-21 victory in the third.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 32 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

About Blinn College

With an enrollment of 19,422 students, Blinn ranks among the nation's leaders in transferring students to leading four-year universities and has received national recognition for affordable educational excellence. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu.