ODESSA, Texas — After dropping the fourth set to Midland College, No. 20 Blinn College volleyball (7-4) was able to come back and seal the 3-2 (25-18, 16-25, 25-16, 20-25, 15-10) victory in the fifth set to close out the first day of the Odessa College Wrangler Classic Friday afternoon.

The Buccaneers opened the tournament with a 3-0 (21-25, 16-25, 22-25) loss to New Mexico Military Institute.

"It was nice to come back and win the second match today," said Terry Gamble, Blinn head coach. "We need to play more consistently if we want to become a better team."

New Mexico Military 3 – Blinn 0

New Mexico Military Institute managed to sweep Blinn, 3-0 (21-25, 16-25, 22-25), to open the Odessa College Wrangler Classic. 

Shelby Sheets led the Buccaneers with 13 kills, while Roxanne Morris recorded 12 assists and Savannah Gibbs posted 10 digs in the match.

Blinn 3 – Midland 2

The Buccaneers were able to bounce back for a 3-2 (25-18, 16-25, 25-16, 20-25, 15-10) victory over Midland College to split the day.

Sheets recorded a season-high 39 kills to lead Blinn's offense and recorded 26 digs to lead the defense, while tallying six blocks. Morris led the Buccaneers with 27 assists, while Samantha Boatman pitched in with 25 assists. Jasmine McLemore recorded seven blocks in the match.

The Buccaneers opened the match with a 25-18 victory, but Midland managed to even the match by winning the next set. The Buccaneers worked hard to take back the momentum by notching a 25-16 victory in the third set.  Midland fought back to tie the match 2-2, before Blinn delivered the last blow for a 15-10 victory to secure the win.

Blinn College volleyball will play two games on Saturday, Sept. 8, to wrap up the Odessa College Wrangler Classic, facing Odessa College at 11:00 a.m. and Western Texas College at 3:00 p.m.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 38 NJCAA national championships since 1987.