DeLand, Fla. - Five members of the Stetson volleyball team (1-19, 0-5 Atlantic Sun) recorded at least 13 digs and the team scooped out 101 digs on the evening, but it wasn't quite enough as visiting Mercer (9-14, 3-2 A-Sun) pulled out a 11-25, 25-16, 27-25, 25-20 win over the Hatters Friday evening at the Edmunds Center. Sophomore setter Kelli Carneal (Fredericksburg, Va.) notched 32 assists, 13 digs and six kills for Stetson.
Stetson's 101 digs on the night marked the program's high total in a match since recording 113 against Florida Atlantic on November 11, 2000.
With the first set tied at 6-6, the Hatters went on a 4-0 spurt that featured a kill, a block and an assist by freshman middle blocker Ellen Hawks (Austin, Texas). Following a Mercer timeout and a Bears point, Stetson put the hammer down by finishing on a 15-4 run to take the first set 25-11. Stetson hit .314 (12-1-35) in the first set while Mercer was held to -.087 hitting (6-10-49).
Mercer claimed the second set and then rallied from set point in the third stanza to take a hard-fought 27-25 win and a 2-1 lead. The Bears then were able to hold the Hatters down just far enough to take the fourth set 25-20 and with it the match.
Junior outside hitter Kaylee Ream (Venice, Fla.) tallied 14 digs, a season-high eight kills and five blocks while senior right side Brandy Worlton (Crystal River, Fla.) also reached eight kills, adding a career-best eight digs. Freshman outside hitter Kaley Melville (New Germany, Minn.) gave the Hatters 15 digs and six kills; fellow rookie Katie DiGirolamo (Bradenton, Fla.) recorded a career-high 22 digs and sophomore libero Monique Russell (Phoenix, Ariz.) led the outstanding defense with 24 digs, one shy of her career high. Hawks finished with seven kills and six blocks.
Amiee Frutchey led Mercer to the win with 18 digs, 16 kills and three blocks. Krista Hurley also reached double-digit kills with 12 to go along with five digs and five blocks while Bridget Sheerin's 29 assists and 16 digs gave her a double-double as well as Frutchey. A-Sun digs leader Charlotte Harris widened her lead tonight with an astounding 39 digs; Rachel Urbelis (17 digs, nine kills) and Carly Iannarino (15 assists, seven digs) also put up strong efforts for the Bears.
The Hatters host Kennesaw State at 3 p.m. Saturday in A-Sun action. Live Stats and Hatter Vision will be available as always at GoHatters.com. Jamie Bataille will fill in for the usual Voice of Stetson Volleyball, Bill Topping.
