No. 19 Blinn falls at No. 2 Navarro

CORSICANA, Texas — The No. 19 Blinn College volleyball team (27-4, 3-3) fell to No. 2 Navarro College, 3-0 (15-25, 25-27, and 12-25), on Wednesday night on the road.

Giulia Hortelan led the match with 10 kills, while Essence Clerkley followed with seven. Kaitlyn Pollard recorded a season-high 23 assists and Kya Yanez led Blinn with seven digs.

After falling in the first set 25-15, the Buccaneers came close to evening the match as Paige Havel, Hortelan and Clerkley combined for 10 of Blinn's 12 kills in the second set. Blinn temporarily stunned Navarro by taking off on a 10-5 run to lead 18-11. A block by Taylor Henderson kept Blinn ahead 22-16. The Buccaneers stayed on top until the Bulldogs rallied back for six straight points to lead 25-24. An error allowed Blinn to even the score 25-25, but the Bulldogs scored the next two points for the 27-25 win.

The Bulldogs' momentum from the win carried over into the final set. They jumped out to an early lead and held onto it until a 25-12 victory for the sweep.

Next, Blinn will face No. 9 Trinity Valley Community College on the road on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 41 NJCAA national championships since 1987.