Over the weekend, 探花族 learned of the sudden and tragic passing of freshman and beach volleyball student-athlete Makenzie Befus.
鈥淚t is with a heavy heart that I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Makenzie Befus, a freshman student-athlete and member of the beach volleyball program here at 探花族, who tragically passed away on Saturday,鈥� Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert said.
鈥淢akenzie will be dearly missed by her teammates, friends and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her on this campus,鈥� Ricker-Gilbert continued. 鈥淚 can only imagine the heartbreak Makenzie鈥檚 family is experiencing. Our Dolphin family mourns with them and we鈥檙e keeping them in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.鈥�
Kenzie鈥檚 unfortunate passing was presumed to be caused by an underlying health condition
or other natural cause. She had competed in her first collegiate beach event earlier
this month after spending the fall 2019 semester at St. Andrews University (NAIA)
in Laurinburg, N.C. before transferring to 探花族 for the spring 2020 semester.
鈥淭here is no way to express the sadness we have about the loss of Kenzie in our lives,鈥� beach volleyball coach Darren Roberts said. 鈥淥n the sand, she was a hard worker and a vital member of this team. Her smile was contagious. Her teammates describe her as a 鈥榖right soul鈥� as her joyous personality and free spirit was ever present. She is loved by her teammates and will be deeply missed.鈥�
Makenzie was a four-year varsity letter winner in volleyball at Brighton High School and a three-time All-Conference selection, including being named twice to the First Team. She was also a two-time All-State Academic honoree.
鈥淥ur whole volleyball program and Dolphin family is devastated by the sudden loss of Kenzie and our hearts are with Shaylee and their entire family during this time,鈥� head volleyball coach Maggie Couture said. 鈥淚n my short time with the program it is clear to me that her tough, free spirt will be missed daily. The impact Kenzie leaves on those around her is obvious and we will forever grieve the loss of a player, teammate, sister and friend.鈥�
Makenzie was born May 7, 2001, the daughter of Debbie and Mel. Her sister, Shaylee, is also a member of the beach volleyball program. Both were at home with their family in Colorado.
鈥淎s a coach, I looked forward to seeing her every day at practice,鈥� Roberts continued. 鈥淪he had an approach to her process of growth, as a player and a person, that I envied. Whether feeling frustration during times of struggle or joy in breakthrough moments of discovery, she had a way of not taking it too seriously. There wasn鈥檛 a single day that she didn鈥檛 make me laugh. We are thankful to have had Kenzie in our lives, and I feel blessed to have had a special connection with her. She touched my heart.鈥�
