DeLand, Fla. – Stetson let a 2-1 lead slip away and fell 3-2 (19-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-12, 15-9) to visiting USC Upstate in an ASUN Conference match Friday night at the Edmunds Center.

The Hatters (3-14, 0-2 ASUN) had 19 kills in the opening set alone, hitting .381 in the frame to take a 1-0 lead in the match. 

After the Spartans (10-9, 2-0) evened the match 1-1 at intermission, Stetson again had a strong third set, hitting .261 overall to take a 2-1 lead in the contest.

USC Upstate took command in the final two sets, hitting .516 in the fourth frame and .353 in the fifth to earn the victory. 

Senior McKenna Foster led the Hatters with 21 kills, just one off of her career high, and added 17 digs for her second double-double of the season.  Madison Akins added 17 kills, while Roxy Lake (28 assists) and Karmen Reivik (25 assists) combined for 53 assists.

Marissa Salazar led the way in the back row with 18 digs, and Eva Deisa joined Salazar and Foster in double digits with 16 digs.

Emily Koelling led the Spartans with 14 kills.  USC Upstate won its fourth consecutive five-set match.

The Hatters will host NJIT at 3 p.m. Saturday.