TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The 13th-ranked Blinn Buccaneers completed a clean sweep at the Starr Corporation Tournament here Saturday with victories in their final two matches at the showcase.
Blinn defeated Northern Idaho 29-27, 25-22, 17-25, 23-25, 15-5, then topped Snow (Utah) 21-25, 25-22, 28-26, 22-25, 15-11. Blinn had defeated sixth-ranked Salt Lake (Utah) in three sets and the defending national champion College of Southern Idaho in five sets on Friday.
"I was really proud of us," Blinn (12-1) coach Erin Mellinger said. "Everyone knows Southern Idaho has 10 national championships, and to beat them on their home floor after traveling 1,800 miles, it was awesome."
Sophomore middle blocker Bruna Evangelista had a strong all-around match against Northern Idaho, posting a team-high 15 kills and eight blocks to go with 10 digs. Rachel Sharp finished with 12 kills and Kariana Castanon-Hill added nine.
Sophomore setter Crystal Young dished out 48 assists while freshman Alyssa LaMont anchored the defense with 30 digs.
Against Snow, Evangelista again led the way with 18 kills and seven blocks, while Sharp added 16 kills, Trinity Alualu chipped in 11 and Castanon-Hill added eight.
Young dished out a season-high 56 assists to go along with 17 digs and four blocks. LaMont led the defense with 22 digs.
The Buccaneers travel to Pasadena Tuesday for a 6 p.m. match against San Jacinto.
