STATESBORO, Ga. ? The Stetson volleyball squad opened up play at the GSU Invitational with a 3-0 (30-21, 30-23, 30-23) loss to the University of Georgia on Friday night at Hanner Fieldhouse.  Stetson was led by senior Karla Redshaw's 25-assist, 13-dig effort, but the Bullogs notched 57 kills to the Hatters 32 in recording the win.

“We played well against a really good team,” said head coach Cheryl Carlson.  “I was happy with our .190 attack percentage.”

With the score knotted at two in game one, Georgia (1-0) went on a 9-1 run to take control.  Stetson (0-1) pulled to within five at 26-21 on a kill by senior Gina Iacona, but the Dawgs responded to take the next three points and eventually closed out the game two plays later on junior Brooke Peugh's game-high seventh kill. 

 In game two, the Hatters hung tough in the early and late portions, but the Bulldogs garnered a pair of runs during the middle of the game to give themselves an advantage they would not relinquish.  Rebecca Orzechowicz gave Stetson a spark in the early going, coming off five kills in game one, the junior notched six more in the second game en route to a team-high 13 in the contest while adding nine digs.

Georgia's Maria Taylor picked up six kills in the final game, including the final two points, and finished with a match-high 17 kills.  Stetson once again played well early in the final game as UGA clinged to a 17-14 lead, but on the strength of a four-point run that showcased three kills and a service ace by Taylor, the Dawgs never let the Hatters get closer than six the rest of the way to close out the win.

Melanie Boyer and Rachel Miller each registered seven digs for Stetson while Iacona and Beth Slabaugh chipped in with five kills apiece.

“We hung in there especially after having a player go down during warm-ups,” added Carlson.

The Hatters will be back in action on Saturday, Aug. 25 with a pair of matches at the GSU Invitational.  Stetson will take on host Georgia Southern at 10 a.m. and conference foe UNF at 6 p.m.