Nov. 15 – PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Bethany College women's volleyball team finished their 2013-14 season earning a third-place finish in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Southwest Regional Championship. The Bison dropped a 3-1 decision to top-seed Carnegie Mellon, before defeating McDaniel, 3-0, in the consolation match.
Against Carnegie Mellon, the Bison fell in four sets (25-20, 25-14, 26-24, and 31-29).
Leading the Bison offense in the first match were sophomore Dakota McKenzie (Hopewell, Ohio /West Muskingum) and senior Lynsie Mandt (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne). McKenzie had a team-high 18 kills, while Mandt collected her sixth double-double of the year, matching a season-high 16 kills to go along with 16 digs.
Others that played well included sophomores Dylana McKenzie (Hopewell, Ohio /West Muskingum) and Alexis Castro (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain) as well as junior Mackenzie Lauber (Mansfield, Ohio /Madison Mansfield). McKenzie and Castro combined for 24 kills, while Lauber notched a game-high 50 assists.
Defensively, Bethany was led by junior Julia Mouch (Toledo, Ohio/Sylvania Southview) and senior Kelly Becquet (Finleyville, Pa./Ringgold). Mouch registered 20 digs, while Becquet had 16.
In the consolation match, Bethany swept McDaniel in three sets (25-20, 25-19, and 25-13).
Bethany's offense was led by the McKenzie twins, who combined for 28 kills and three blocks. Others that did well on the offensive end included Lauber and sophomore Haley Santymire (Clifton, Va. /Centreville). Lauber amassed 36 assists in the win, while Santymire collected four service aces.
Over the two-game day, the Bison offense was once again led by Dakota and Dylana McKenzie. Dakota finished with 34 kills, while sister Dylana tallied 26 kills. Mandt and Lauber also had their selves a day, as Mandt totaled 23 kills and Lauber registered 86 assists.
Defensively, Mouch was a bright spot, recording 30 digs en route to another successful outing. Castro also showed well, finishing with five blocks.
The Bison finish the season with 27 victories, which marks the fifth-straight season of 24 wins or more under head coach Courtney Kline. The weekend also concludes the final matches for Becquet and Mandt.
