KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Bethel (Ind.) junior outside hitter Thomas Dunkley has been named the NAIA Men's Volleyball Attacker of the Week after aiding the RV Pilots to the best start in program history.  Dunkley was the offensive centerpiece of a 5-0 opening stretch, highlighted by a dominant three-match run last week in which he piled up 60 kills.

Across wins over Goshen (Ind.), Lourdes (Ohio), and Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio), Dunkley averaged five kills per set while hitting .377 on 106 total attacks. He also contributed 13 digs, six total blocks and four service aces over the three matches.

Dunkley's week began on Feb. 3 with a four-set road win at Goshen, where he produced 20 kills and hit .278 while taking 36 swings. He followed that with his biggest output of the stretch on Feb. 6 in a five-set win over Lourdes, compiling 23 kills on .474 hitting and adding two aces and four blocks. He closed the run on Feb. 7 against Mount Vernon Nazarene in a straight-set victory, posting 17 kills and 5.67 kills per set.

Thomas relfected on the award, sharing, "I am very excited to be Attacker of the Week. This wouldn't have been possible without our serve receive and our setter. This is a team effort and this wouldn't have happened without the help of my teammates. I have so much support here at Bethel. I'm so thankful I get to wear the Bethel name on my chest every day." 

Head Coach Jose Viera Cerame wrote, "This is the first time in the program that one of my athletes receives an NAIA weekly award. It feels great that our program is getting recognized in many ways." He continued, "Thomas is an amazing player and leader. His job speaks for itself and I'm proud of the player he has become over his two years here at Bethel. Go Pilots!" 

The milestone extends to the whole of Bethel University Athletics, who has not received an NAIA Athlete of the Week Award since 2022. The last national award winners in that year were Maddy Payne (Women's Volleyball), Jenna Crockett (Women's Lacrosse), Samantha Swope (Women's Lacrosse), and Audrey Lerch (Women's Soccer). 

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