Bison Volleyball Splits a Pair in Homecoming Tri-Match
Oct. 3 – BETHANY, W. Va. – The Bethany College volleyball team (16-7) split a pair of matches in a Homecoming tri-match on Saturday at the Hummel Field House. The Green & White dropped the first match, 3-1, to Heidelberg, before taking down Denison University, 3-0.
The Bison dropped the first match to the Student Princes of Heidelberg, 3-1. The Green & White fell 25-19 in set one, before taking a 25-13 defeat in the second set. Bethany would then rally to take set three by a 25-23 score, but fell in the fourth game, 25-21, to drop to 15-7 on the year.
In the loss, the Bison allowed Heidelberg to hit .267. However, the Green & White posted 84 digs in the four-set match led by freshman Reilly Parker's (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) 26 digs. Julia Mouch (Toledo, Ohio/Sylvania Southview) notched 16 digs, while Dakota McKenzie (Hopewell, Ohio/West Muskingum) notched 15 in the match.
Offensively, the Bison were led by a season-high kill total from junior Arielle Sanders (Maple Heights, Ohio/Maple Heights) the middle hitter took advantage of some opportunities, tallying 15 kills while committing just two errors in 24 attempts (.54Dakota McKenzientage).
Other offensive leaders included Dakota McKenzie and Dylana McKenzie (Hopewell, Ohio/West Muskingum) who notched 14, each. Mackenzie Lauber (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison Mansfield) notched 30 assists, while Allie Powell (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central) finished with 10.
Bethany rebounded nicely from their first loss, to take the match against Denison by a 3-0 score. The victory marked the second-sweep of the Big Red by the Bison this season. In the win, the Green & White held Denison to a .125 hitting percentage, while totaling a .206 mark of their own. The Bison won the straight-set decision by scores of 25-23, 25-22 and 25-17.
The Bison were bolstered in their victory by their play at the net, as the Green & White totaled a season-best 17.5 blocks. Bethany was once again led by Sanders, who totaled seven of her own, including four solo and three assiDylana McKenzieuch notched three solo blocks of her own, while Dylana McKenzie and Alexis Castro notched two, each.
Once again, the Bison did well once again in the dig department, tallying 72 in just three sets. Parker finished with a team-higDakota McKenziech totaled 15. Lauber posted a double-double in the win, adding 25 assists to her 13 digs.
Offensively, Dakota McKeDylana McKenzieam with 13 kills. Sanders once again played an efficient match, totaling 12 kills on 26 attempts (.385), while Dylana McKenzie added 10 of her own. Along with Lauber's 25 assists, Powell totaled 18 in the two-setter system.
Bethany will be back in action on Wednesday, October 7 when they travel to Greenville, Pa. to resume Presidents' Athletic Conference action against Thiel College. The matchup with the Tomcats is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.
