CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Blinn College outside hitter Shelby Sheets was named NJCAA Division I Volleyball Tachikara Offensive Player of the Week for her performance in Week 5 of the 2018 season.

Sheets recorded 119 kills and a 0.28 hitting percentage while serving 16 aces to help lead the Buccaneers to wins over Lee College, Hutchinson Community College, Seward County Community College, and Hill College.

"I am honored to be named the offensive player of the week," Sheets said. "I definitely give credit to my team because this week we really picked up our serve receive and our passers were on point. My setters did a great job and this weekend I really found my fire."

Sheets led Blinn's offense in upsets over two of last week's top-10 teams with 26 kills against the then-No. 6 Seward County and 31 kills against the then-No. 9 Hill. She also led Blinn in kills against Lee with 11, Hutchinson with 22, and Monroe College with 28.

"Being named the national player of the week is a tremendous honor, not only for Sheets, but for our entire team," said Terry Gamble, Blinn head coach. "This weekend showed that she could play with the top girls and still score. She wants to be successful and demands that of herself, and that allows her to be a top competitor on the court."

This week's performance adds to an impressive season for Sheets, as she currently leads the NJCAA in total kills with 439 and kills per set with 6.01.

This is the first time a Buccaneer has earned offensive player of the week honors this season.

Blinn is now 17-6 overall and 3-0 in the Region XIV South Zone. Blinn will host the Blinn Invitational on Friday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 6, and the Buccaneers will face off against four teams in Odessa College, Coastal Alabama, Frank Phillips College, and No. 5 Navarro College.

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