ATHENS, Texas — No. 19 Blinn College volleyball (27-5, 3-4) and No. 9 Trinity Valley Community College played three close sets, but the Cardinals were able to claim the sweep on Saturday afternoon. Blinn fell to Trinity Valley by the scores of 21-25, 22-25, and 20-25.

Essence Clerkley and Giulia Hortelan combined for 23 kills, while Jenni Liu recorded 33 assists to lead Blinn's offense. On defense, Chloe Mullins led with seven digs, while Brooke Borden and Hortelan followed with six each.

Hortelan recorded seven kills and Mullins tallied six digs in the first set, but the Cardinals managed a 25-21 win.

 Borden served two of Blinn's four aces in the second set as Trinity Valley recorded just a three-point win (25-22).

Hortelan and Clerkley combined for seven kills in the third set before the Cardinals claimed a 25-20 victory.

Next, Blinn will travel to Laredo to compete in a doubleheader on Friday, Oct. 25, against Laredo College at 2 p.m. and Monterrey Tech at 4 p.m.

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