DeLand, Fla. -- Senior setter Kayla Weller broke Stetson University's all-time assists record late in the fourth set as Stetson defeated USC Upstate 3-1 (25-19, 29-31, 27-25, 25-13) Friday night at the Edmunds Center.
Haley Tippett recorded a match-high 16 kills for the Hatters (6-11, 1-3 Atlantic Sun), who picked up their first conference win of the season.
"It was a huge win for us," Stetson head coach Kristina Hernandez said. "I felt like we played with a lot of confidence and that is something we have been wanting to see from our team. Overall, I thought we responded really well, even when we had a couple of rough patches, but a good start for us for the weekend."
Weller finished the match with 49 assists, giving her a career total of 3,336. Her 46th assist of the night broke Tanya Roe's previous mark of 3,332, set back in 1996.
"It feels so good, and it is even better that it is with this group of girls," Weller said about breaking the record. "Everyone is so supportive and everyone was so excited for me. It is all about the team. I couldn't do it without the passes and I couldn't do it without the hitters. It is really, really cool."
Weller helped distribute a balanced attack as five different Hatters finished with nine kills or better. She also picked up 11 digs for her seventh double-double of the season.
"(Kayla) did great," Hernandez said. "She distributed the ball well; we had four people in double digits (in kills). I thought she listened and made adjustments. It is a great achievement for her. She is really excited and the team is as well, and I am glad she could do that with us winning tonight."
Fellow senior and libero Michelle Kastner tied a career-high with 25 digs.
The Spartans fell to 12-8, 0-4.
Stetson will go for the weekend sweep at 3 p.m. Saturday against Kennesaw State.
Game Notes: Stetson fought off five set points in the second set before falling 31-29 ... The Hatters hit .483 in the fourth set (15-1-29) and .234 for the match ... Stetson collected 12 blocks as a team - four of them were solo blocks ... Madison Akins, Madison Fitzsimmons, and Shelby Connors each contributed to five blocks ... Stetson has won five straight vs. USC Upstate.
