| Dodgeball Simulation League |
| The number of kills registered by Yolanda Mann in season 5 isn't exactly an impressive total, but it is significant since it helped her to lead the league in that statistic in season 5. Her lead in kills represented the first time a female player not only had led in kills for a season, but it was also the first time a female player had led the league for the season in any of the three major categories (kills, catches, dodges). She started the campaign fast, striking for 5 kills in the opening match, including 3 kills in a deciding game 3 which helped her earn the Match MVP. She continued to open the season sizzling in the next round against the Hitmen, connecting for 4 more kills and 18 more points to earn a second Match MVP. By the time round 3 was over, Mann had 12 kills in the books and 49 points on the scoreboard. "It was the hottest start I've had to any season I've played," she recalls. "I couldn't believe that I was in the lead in kills. That's normally something that Chris (Trott) or Shawn (Walling) would lead in. I was surely used to being the best female player around but not the best overall in anything." Her 4 kills a match pace continued through the first six rounds of the season, and talk was rampant that she might challenge Chris Trott's single season record of 40 kills. Sitting at 24 kills heading into round 7, Mann suddenly cooled, only able to make 6 kills for the rest of the season. "Luckily, the rest of the league was so far behind that I kept my lead," Mann says with relief. "In almost any other season, I would have been passed with a poor finish like that." Her 30 kills do represent the greatest number of kills by any female player in a single season. Moreover, though, they were enough for her to become the first female player to lead in kills overall for a season. It must have been a season for the ladies, as Sylvia Nielsen finished in 2nd in killing with 27. "I'm glad that I was able to have a season like that," Mann reflects. "I guess the female players in this league just have to hope that we can re-claim the scoring title, too, sometime. I'll be excited to see what Beth (Langton) can do in her career. I'm glad I was around to set the precedent." |
| #7: Yolanda Mann's Season 5 Killing |