Boca Raton, Fla. -- Despite trailing 19-15 in the fourth set and 8-7 in the fifth set, Stetson rallied for a 3-2 victory (25-10, 18-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-11) over Georgia Southern Friday afternoon at the FAU Invitational.

Madison Akins led four Hatters in double figures with 13 kills.  McKenna Foster collected 12 kills, including the fourth set winner to tie the match 2-2.

A pair of freshmen also made significant contributions in their collegiate debuts.  Middle blocker Madison Fitzsimmons hit a team-high .346 (12-3-26) with four blocks, while outside hitter Hailey Tippett notched 10 kills and 21 digs.

Michelle Kastner picked up 16 digs, while Kayla Weller registered 45 assists and 11 digs.

The Hatters (1-0) will be back on the court at 7 p.m. to face Florida Atlantic.

Quoting Coach Hernandez:
"I am glad that we stayed patient and kept working. It could have gone the other way very easily.  Our younger players really hung in there and helped us push it to five and finish it out."

"Hailey is a tough kid. I felt like they picked on her a little bit in the beginning with her passing, and then she figued it out and got it done. She took some really big swings, she was very aggressive. Madi Fitz, she had our highest hitting percentage today. She had 12 kills, hit .346, that was huge for her first match. I think that is a great way for both of them to start."

Quoting Shelby Connors:
"I think the passers did a great job, especially in the fourth and fifth set.  The started running every ball down and they had a lot of great touches to help get us involved.  They really come through for us at the end."

DeJa Vu?
Stetson has won back-to-back season openers at Florida Atlantic by identical 3-2 scores.  Stetson also trailed McNeese State 2-1 last year before rallying for a five-set win.  Overall, the Hatters have won their last three season openers.

Errorless First Set 
The Hatters got off to a near perfect start, collecting 11 kills in 22 attempts in the first set without committing an error.  Shelby Connors was a perfect 4-for-4 in attack attempts in the set.