Dakota McKenzie Eclipses 1,000 Kills as Bison Volleyball Falls to Thomas More College
Oct. 15 - CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. - The Bethany College volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to host Thomas More College on Thursday evening in Crestview Hills. Despite the outcome, junior Dakota McKenzie (Hopewell, Ohio/West Muskingum), became the school's eighth player all time to reach the 1,000 career kills mark.
In the match, the Bison (20-8, 10-3) fell in straight sets for just the second time this season, and the first since falling to Christopher Newport on September 19. The Green & White dropped the opening set 25-21, before falling in sets two and three by scores of 25-18 and 25-21, respectively.
Offensively in the match, the Bison were led by McKenzie and Arielle Sanders (Maple Heights, Ohio/Maple Heights) who each tallied eight kills. McKenzie's eight gave her exactly 1,000 kills for her career, making her the eighth player in Bison history to accomplish the feat. She joins her twin sister Dylana McKenzie (Hopewell, Ohio/West Muskingum), who accomplished the task against Thiel College earlier this month.
Dakota, who posted the second-highest single-season kill total in Bethany history as a sophomore in 2014 (488), has been a figure of consistency throughout her career. Playing in her 95th match tonight, McKenzie has averaged 10.5 kills per match in her three seasons with the Green & White.
Joining her sister Dylana, the twins have now become just the second pair of teammates in Bison history to both eclipse the 1,000 kill mark. The other dynamic duo was Taylor Cassidy (1,243) and Lauren Goodwill (1,079), who both played between the years of 2009-12.
In the match, the Bison were led defensively by senior Julia Mouch (Toledo, Ohio/Sylvania Southview) who tallied 15 digs on the day. The double-digit dig performance marked her 23rd of the season. Freshman Reilly Parker (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) also made an impact, posting 14 digs.
The Green & White will be back in action on Saturday, October 17, as they host Grove City College and Franciscan University in a tri-match at the Hummel Field House. The Bison will also celebrate the careers of seniors Mouch and setter Mackenzie Lauber (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison) before the third match of the day. The tri-match is slated for an 11 a.m. start.
