Dylana McKenzie Hits 1K Milestone as Bison Volleyball Upends Thiel

Oct. 7 – GREENVILLE, Pa. – Bethany College junior Dylana McKenzie (Hopewell, Ohio/West Muskingum) became the seventh player in Bison history to eclipse 1,000 career kills as the Bison volleyball team defeated Thiel College, 3-1, on Wednesday evening.

The day didn't start in the Bison's favor as the Tomcats grabbed the opening set by a 25-23 score. The game went back and forth with the Bison holding a 23-21 advantage on a kill by Arielle Sanders (Maple Heights, Ohio/Maple Heights). Three straight errors by the Bison, however, contributed to a 4-0 run for the hosts, and the Bison capture game one by two points.

The second set was once again a close matchup with the Green & White holding a one-point lead (16-15) halfway through the game. Bethany would then take command of the set, using a 9-4 run to end the game. Bethany's middle hitters fueled theArielle Sandersh Muhammad (Warren, Ohio/Warren G. Harding) and Arielle Sanders combined for five of the nine points to give the Bison a 25-19 win.

The Green & White completely controlled set number three, opening the game on their biggest run of the season. With Julia Mouch (Toledo, Ohio/Sylvania Southview) serving, the Bison rattled off 19 consecutive points. Mouch totaled two aces in the run while Alexis Castro (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain) contributed three kills and a block. Bethany would go on to win the set by a score of 25-5.

Bethany once again took the early lead in what proved to be the decisive set, getting back-to-back kills by Dakota McKenzie (Hopewell, Ohio/West Muskingum) and Sanders. The Bison would then open the lead to 11-4 on kills by Mouch and Sanders. Thiel would get no closer in the set as the Bison would go on for the eight-point win, 25-17, taking the match by a 3-1 score.

Offensively, the Bison Dakota McKenzieent players register double-digit kills, led by DDylDylana McKenzie>s 15. Sanders and Castro totaled 11 each, while Dylana McKenzie finished with 10.

With her kill total, Dylana McKenzie has now tallied 1,004 kills, becoming the seventh player in Bethany history to total 1,000. She currently ranks seventh on the all-time list sitting 67 behind Lauren Goodwill in sixth place (1,071). Through 102 matches played, she has averaged 9.8 kills per match.

Defensively, the Bison tallied 90 total digs, including 23 from freshman Reilly Parker (Irwin, Pa./Norwin). Mouch finished with 22, while Mackenzie Lauber (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison) finished with a double-double, posting 14 digs to go along with 28 assists.

The Bison will be back in action on Saturday, October 10, when they host a PAC doubleheader with Chatham University and St. Vincent College. Action is slated to begin at 11 a.m.