DeLand, Fla. -- Stetson split an Atlantic Sun Conference beach volleyball doubleheader with visiting UNF Wednesday, winning the opening contest 4-1 before falling 3-2 in the rematch.

The ninth-ranked Hatters (14-2, 5-1 A-Sun) extended their win streak to eight in the first match but then suffered just their second loss of the season.

"I thought we started off well in the first match," Stetson head coach Kristina Hernandez said.  "We were very aggressive on the serve and on offense.  I was a little disappointed with the second round.  I thought we gave away some easy points and didn't necessarily stick to what we had been doing well.  That was a big difference maker.  UNF also made some changes and we did not adjust very well."

Stetson's top seed of Vendy Strakova and Sara Putt went 2-0 on the day, winning 21-18, 21-17 in the first match and 21-16, 21-15 in the second match.  The duo improved their pairs record to 16-0 on the season.

The Hatters' 2, 3, 4, and 5 seeds each went 1-1 on the day.   Kaylee Anderson and Emily Carroll staved off several set points in the second match to take a 27-25, 21-19 win at the 3 seed.

The Hatters will host the Stetson Beach Invitational this weekend as five Top 10 teams will comepete in the tournament.  Stetson will face Hawaii and Florida Atlantic on Friday, and FIU and UCLA on Saturday.