BRENHAM, Texas — Sophomore outside hitter Shelby Sheets helped lead the Buccaneers to a sweep over Paul Quinn College, 3-0, while breaking Blinn College volleyball's record for most kills in a season on Wednesday night in the Kruse Center.
Blinn defeated Paul Quinn by the scores of 25-13, 25-12 and 25-16. With the win, the Buccaneers improve their overall record to 21-7.
"We played really well in the first two sets and I am really excited about what Shelby did in the third set," said Terry Gamble, Blinn head coach. "She is very deserving of that record and I couldn't be more proud of her. She is our hardest worker and plays every point like it matters, so I think that is why she is so successful."
Sheets recorded 19 kills in the match for her 585th kill of the season. The 2013 NJCAA Female Athlete of the Year and All-American Bruna Evangelista originally held the record with 584 kills.
"I just go out there and play with the intention of scoring points, but it is really exciting that I broke the record tonight," Sheets said.
Samantha Boatman and Roxanne Morris each helped set Sheets up with 12 assists each. On defense, Cheyenne Te'o and Morris led with 11 digs apiece.
Sheets broke the record in the third set following an ace that allowed Blinn to hold a 23-16 lead over Paul Quinn. Blinn and Paul Quinn alternated the ball across the net until Sheets went in for the attack to record the kill. Blinn defeated Paul Quinn, 25-16, in the third set for the sweep after Morris recorded the final point with a block.
Earlier in the match, Blinn opened the first set strong with a 15-9 run. Sheets led the offense in the run with five kills and two aces, while Jasmine McLemore followed with three kills. Blinn finished the set with an 8-1 run capped off with a kill by Taylor Henderson for a 25-13 final.
Blinn kept the wave of momentum rolling into the second set to take a 7-0 lead. Sheets led the run with four kills, while Henderson recorded one and Julia Fritz delivered an ace. A kill by Lucy Schaefer and an ace by Boatman kept the Buccaneers ahead 15-4. Sheets led Blinn on its final 3-1 run with three kills to take the second set, 25-12.
Next, Blinn will resume conference play against Laredo Community College on Friday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. in the Kruse Center. The Buccaneers are currently undefeated in conference with a 3-0 record.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 38 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
