DeLand, Fla. ? The Stetson volleyball team (1-7, 0-2 Atlantic Sun) was not able to overcome another sluggish start, falling 25-17, 25-13, 23-25, 25-21 to visiting Campbell (2-7, 1-0 A-Sun) in its conference home opener Friday evening at the Edmunds Center. Senior outside hitter Rebecca Orzechowicz (Miami, Fla.) tallied her first double-double of the season as the Hatters suffered their fourth straight defeat.
Stetson led 6-5 early in the first set before the Camels went on a 5-1 run to take a lead they would not relinquish. A kill from sophomore outside hitter Stephanie Canfield (Panama City, Fla.) brought the Hatters within 10-9, but five straight Campbell points put the set out of reach.
In the second set, the Hatters again found themselves down just one point early when Campbell exploded on a 12-1 scoring streak that allowed the visitors to coast home to the victory. Four of those 12 points came on blocks; Campbell out-blocked Stetson 13-4 in the match.
The Hatters were able to salvage the third set, getting five straight points midway through to go up 17-13 and not trailing again in the set. The Camels tied the score at 21, prompting a Stetson timeout, but junior middle blocker Laura Boyd (La Crescenta, Calif.) recorded a kill coming out of the break to put Stetson ahead to stay.
The fourth set was a back-and-forth affair most of the way through as the score was tied as late as 20-20. It would be the Camels that would assert their will down the stretch, however, digging every Hatter hit from that point on and scoring five of the last six to win the match.
Orzechowicz finished with 13 kills and 16 digs to lead Stetson in both categories. Freshman outside hitter Kaylee Ream (Venice, Fla.) slammed a career-high 12 kills and recorded six digs while hitting .222. Freshman setter Jennica Hagberg (Niceville, Fla.) tallied a career-high 40 assists to go along with eight digs and four kills while junior defensive specialist Anna Becker (McLean, Ill.) and senior libero Melanie Boyer (New Holland, Ill.) reached double-figure digs with 12 and 10, respectively. Junior right side Sarah Sears (Ashburn, Va.) tied her career high with seven digs.
Emily Werner (14 kills, 10 digs) and Hope Leatigaga (37 assists, 14 digs, seven kills, five blocks) each recorded double-doubles for the Camels. Caroline Hammersley had 11 kills while Sarah Hill led all players in the match with 18 digs.
The Hatters will play their next three matches away from the Edmunds Center, beginning Friday, Sept. 19 at A-Sun foe Kennesaw State. The match will begin at 7 p.m. and is available on A-Sun.TV.
