Oct. 28 – BETHANY, W.Va. – The Bethany College volleyball team (22-12, 14-2 PAC) picked up a Presidents' Athletic Conference victory by defeating St. Vincent College in four sets on Tuesday evening.
The first set was all Bison, as they held the lead from beginning to end, capturing a 25-11 win. Junior Mackenzie Lauber (Mansfield, Ohio /Madison Mansfield) and sophomore Dakota McKenzie (Hopewell, Ohio /West Muskingum) were the Bison leaders in the first set. Lauber had three kills, six assists and five digs, while McKenzie notched a team-high four kills.
The second frame saw more of a battle, as the Bearcats jumped out to a 15-10 over the Bison. Bethany would battle back, going on an 11-8 run to trim the deficit to just two points (23-21). Saint Vincent would then outlast the Bison to take game two, 27-25. McKenzie and junior Julia Mouch (Toledo, Ohio/Sylvania Southview) did well for the Bison. McKenzie had six kills, while Mouch recorded five digs.
The third set was controlled by Bethany, as they jumped out to 17-12 lead, before capturing a 25-21 triumph. Leading the way was sophomore Alexis Castro (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain) and Mouch. Castro notched six kills, while Mouch added eight digs.
Bethany clinched the win in the fourth set, defeating the pesky Bearcats, 25-20. McKenzie and Lauber helped Bethany grab the victory. McKenzie had 10 kills and Lauber totaled 14 assists.
Offensively, Bethany was led by McKenzie and Lauber. McKenzie finished with 21 kills and seven digs. Her 21 kills also helped her become the first Bison since Taylor Cassidy in 2012 to eclipse the 400-kill plateau. Lauber showed her versatility, logging 46 assists, a season-high 13 digs and 10 kills. Her performance marked her 6th double-double of the year.
The Bison defense was spearheaded by Mouch and senior Lynsie Mandt (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne). Mouch finished with a game-high 24 digs, while Mandt added 13.
Bethany will hit the court next on Thursday, Oct. 30 as they travel to Wilmington, Pa. to take on Westminster College. The PAC match is set to being at 7:00 p.m.
