Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Stetson University Athletics

Scoreboard

Tickets, donate, shop

Sport schedule
University logo on load main University logo on scroll
Deng Yang 2017
Steve Simoneau

Volleyball Athletic Communications

Hatters Set to Host NJIT and USC Upstate

Stetson begins four-game homestand Friday night

DeLand, Fla. -- The Stetson volleyball team drew some inspiration this past week from an unlikely source.  Head coach Yang Deng and assistant coach Aaron King played the video of Peyton Manning's 2016 retirement speech in which the former NFL quarterback talked about setting the NFL rookie record for most interceptions thrown.

"Every success comes with some tough times," Deng said she told the team.  "(Manning) still became one of the best.   It takes time, but we have to have to confidence and faith in ourselves to trust the process."

Deng also showed her team the first set from last Saturday's match at Kennesaw State, a set where Stetson won nearly every statistical category except for the score.

"I told them that was one of the best sets we have played," Deng said.  "Our mindset is we have to improve every single game.  Once we have (a strong set), we want to try to find that same feeling and go through the same process."

The Hatters (1-14, 0-3 ASUN) will begin a four-game homestand this weekend as the Hatters host NJIT (9-9, 1-2) on Friday and USC Upstate (5-11, 2-1) on Saturday at the Edmunds Center.  Both matches will start at 6 p.m. 

Friday's match will be broadcast on ESPN3, and Saturday's match will be streamed on Facebook Live.

The Hatters, seeking their first ASUN victories of the year, have had a spirited week of practice.

"Our last two or three practices have probably been our most competitive practices since the preseason," Deng said.  "All of sudden, they have been bringing a higher compete level, and they are feeling more confident about digging and hitting.  The more confidence they get, the better it is for them.

"We still have to put in the work," Deng added.  "Instead of talking about winning, we have to do it.  Instead of wanting to win, we have to earn it.  So the doing and the earning is going to be the focus for our team this week."

Tickets are $5 for general admission and can be purchased online or at the Edmunds Center ticket office.  Stetson students, faculty and staff are free with a valid ID.  Fans can check in with their Hatter Rewards app to earn points.

In addition, live stats, the Stetson volleyball twitter feed, and the HatCheck text messaging service will provide live updates as well.

All-Time Series
The all-time series between Stetson and NJIT is tied 2-2.  The Hatters have won both previous meetings in DeLand.  USC Upstate leads the all-time series 11-7 over Stetson.

ASUN Rankings
The Hatters currently rank third in the league with a 15.6 digs-per-set average,  Last season, the Hatters were last in the ASUN with a 12.8 digs-per-set average.  Stetson also ranks fourth in the league with a 1.91 blocks-per-set average.

Rookie Starts
Stetson freshmen have combined for 44 matches started this year.

Up Next
Stetson hosts UNF and Jacksonville next weekend.

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.

 
Print Friendly Version