Bethany Volleyball Falls 3-1 to Thomas More

Oct. 1 – BETHANY, W. Va. – The Bethany College volleyball team's six-match winning streak came to an end as the Green & White were defeated, 3-1, by Thomas More College on Thursday evening in the Hummel Field House.

The Bison (15-6, 6-2 PAC) jumped out to a 1-0 advantage after taking the first set by a score of 25-19. From there, however, Thomas More (8-3, 7-0 PAC) would take control, tallying wins in the next three sets by scores of 25-20, 25-18 and 25-20, respectively.

The Green & White raced out of the gates early, taking a 9-4 advantage in the first set. Dakota McKenzie (Hopewell, Ohio/West Muskingum) tallied two kills in the run, as did Dylana McKenzie (Hopewell, Ohio/West Muskingum). Bethany would open its lead to as many as seven points (17-10) on a kill by Dakota McKenzie, before going on to win by six, 25-19.

The second set saw the most back-and-forth between the two teams, as the game saw six ties and three lead changes. The last tie of the set came at 14-14 on a kill by Bethany's Sumayyah Muhammad (Warren, Ohio/Warren G. Harding). From there, however, Thomas More outscored the Bison 11-6 to take set two, 25-20.

The Saints would control the third set, jumping out to a quick 7-1 advantage, riding the momentum to a 25-18 win. Both offenses exploded in the set as the two teams combined for 28 kills with just one error. The Green & White hit .611 in the third stanza, while Thomas More countered with a .533 hitting percentage.

Bethany would battle back in the fourth set, looking to stave off defeat. The Green & White opened a small, two-point aDakota McKenzie through the game (15-13) on a service ace from Dakota McKenzie. However, after a Thomas More timeout, the Saints would embark on a 12-5 run, to take the set 25-20, and the match 3-1.

Offensively, the Bison were led by junior Dakota McKenzieos/castro_alexis_d9hb">Alexis Castro (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain), who finished with 12 kiDylana McKenzieng .241. Dakota McKenzie added nine kills while Dylana McKenzie and Julia Mouch (Toledo, Ohio/Sylvania Southview) finished with eight, each.

Defensively, freshman Reilly Parker (IrwinDakota McKenzieotaled 21 digs. The conference's leader in both total digs, and digs per set notched 20+ for the tenth time this season. Other dig leaders for the Green & White included Dakota McKenzie with 18 and Mouch with 13.

Thomas More was led by 19 kills from senior Stacy Howell. Alexis Bierbaum finished with 14 while Jessica Knaley tallied 10. Setter Jenna Fessler totaled 51 assists while adding 20 digs.

The Green & White will be back in action on Saturday, October 3, when they host a non-conference tri-match with Heidelberg University and Denison University. The matches, which are being held as a part of Bethany's Homecoming festivities, are set to begin at 11 a.m.