DeLand, Fla. -- Stetson opened its home season on a strong note with a 3-1 victory over Bethune-Cookman Wednesday night at the Edmunds Center.

The Hatters won by scores of 25-18, 25-15, 22-25, 25-19 to improve to 8-5 on the season.

"We were a little bit up and down, but overall I thought we were very aggressive offensively," Stetson head coach Kristina Hernandez said.  "Bethune-Cookman did a really good job of blocking us and putting pressure on our hitters, but we maintained our grittiness and kept swinging."

Madison Akins (14 kills), and McKenna Foster (12 kills) each reached double figures in kills while Shelby Connors and Erika White recorded nine kills apiece.

"Our middles really opened up the pins for us," Hernandez said.  "I thought Shelby and Erika both did a good job offensively."

The Hatters pulled away late in each of the first two sets, but Bethune-Cookman (2-13) made a successful late run in the third set to narrow Stetson's lead in the match to 2-1.

In the fourth set, Jessica Armstrong made an impact on the outside, collecting four kills and two blocks to help Stetson extend its winning streak to three in a row.

"Our blocking really improved (in the fourth set)," Hernandez said.  "We put Jessica in the front row so we could have a little bit of a better block."

Akins helped carry the team offensively early in the contest as the Hatter sophomore picked up nine kills and hit .562 through the first two sets.

"Maddie's really comfortable right now," Hernandez said.  "You can tell she is taking some really big swings.  She has become a really big offensive threat for us. When you have a right side that can be that productive offensively, it gives your other hitters some room to swing."

Connors also played well in the front row, hitting 444 for the match while picking up four blocks. 

Kayla Weller assisted on 44 of the team's 54 kills, while Alexa Drost (13 digs) and Abby Boll (10 digs) each recorded double figures in digs.

The Hatters will begin Atlantic Sun Conference play on Saturday at Florida Gulf Coast.  First serve is set for 7 p.m.