The Blinn College volleyball team is cruising.

Through 17 matches, the Bucs have won nine straight – four of which have come in four sets or less – and they've held on to their top spot in the nation for two straight weeks in the NJCAA national poll.

Better make that three consecutive.

The Bucs stayed in the top spot Wednesday in the NJCAA's latest poll. Blinn (17-4, 4-0) received all three first-place votes.

Other Region XIV Conference teams ranked in the poll are Tyler Junior College (5), Panola (6), Paris (11) and San Jacinto (15).

Bruna Evangelista, an All-American her freshman season, leads the Buccaneer offense with 208 kills (3.47 per set) and is hitting at a team-best .398 in 17 matches. Kariana Castanon-Hill has 140 kills (2.26 per set) and Jaeda Allen has contributed another 136 (2.36 per set).

Sophomore Crystal Young has dished out 515 assists (10.3 per set), and Alysaa LaMont leads the defense with 204 digs (3.34 per set).

Blinn returns home Thursday night at 6 for a match against Wharton Junior College. The Bucs will host Adam's Angels Night to benefit Adam's Angels Ministries, a non-profit organization founded by Donna and Tim Culliver of Brenham as a way to reach out to families that have been affected by childhood cancer. The Cullivers lost their 4-year-old son, Adam Christian Culliver, to acute myelogenous leukemia.

All monetary donations and fund-raising proceeds raised from the event will allow Adam's Angels to assist families with living expenses, fuel costs, medical parking and meal vouchers. Individuals or companies wishing to donate directly to Adam's Angels Ministry can send checks to: P.O. Box 2573, Brenham, TX 77834-2573, or visit www.adamsangelsministry.org.

NJCAA Top 20 National Poll – Sept. 25

1. Blinn College
2. Western Nebraska Community College
3. Hillsborough Community College
4. College of Southern Idaho
5. Tyler Junior College
6. Panola College
7. Western Wyoming Community College
8. Salt Lake Community College
9. Iowa Western Community College
10. Miami Dade College
11. Paris Junior College
12. Snow College
13. College of Central Florida
14. Arizona Western College
15. San Jacinto College
16. Polk State College
17. North Idaho College
18. Florida State College of Jacksonville
19. State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
20. Northeastern Junior College

Other schools receiving votes: Lee College, Colby Community College, Hill College, Hutchinson Community College, Northwest College