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Volleyball Team 2019 II
Steve Simoneau

Volleyball Athletic Communications

Hatters Ready to Hit the Court in 2019

5 Things to Know About the Hatters

FAU INVITATONAL
Match 1 | 10 a.m. Friday vs. Niagara | Video ($) | Live Stats
Match 2 | 7 p.m. Friday vs. Florida Atlantic | Video ($) | Live Stats
Match 3 | 10 a.m. Saturday vs. Grambling State | Video ($) | Live Stats
WHERE | FAU Arena, Boca Raton, Fla.
TWITTER | @StetsonVB
VIDEO | Season Preview | Player Introductions

The 2019 Stetson volleyball gets underway this weekend at the FAU Invitational in Boca Raton, Fla.  Before the Hatters take the court against Niagara Friday morning, here are five things you need to know about this year's squad.

1. The small roster size makes for a cohesive unit.

The Hatters will go into the 2019 season with just 12 players on the roster.  Seniors Eva Deisa, Emily DeStaffino and Brianna Schmid lead the way, along with a junior class of Naina Ivanova, Riley Nieporte, and Chelcie Spence.  Lindsey Leipold and Alejandra Perez return for their sophomore seasons, while freshmen Madison Baynard, Elena Djokovic, Kennedy Muldrow and Kaylee Oscarson join the program.

Head coach Yang Deng begins her third season at the helm.

"With a smaller team, I think it is easier for them to get tighter as a group faster," Deng said.  "At the same time, having four freshmen on a roster of 12 means a third of the team are freshmen, but it's good that they are a smaller group.  I feel the quality of the squad is very good."

2. The freshmen are learning quick.

The Hatters will be looking for their freshmen to help bolster the offense this season as all four rookies are front row players.  Oscarson and Muldrow are middle blockers, while Baynard and Djokovic will play predominantly at the pins.  

"I think everybody has had a great start," Deng said.  "The hard part for the freshmen is trying to adapt to the speed of the game.  They are getting a lot of information, and it can be a bit overwhelming at times.  People are getting to know the system and how to play together, but they are adjusting well.  They are all smart and hard working kids.  Everyone is working together really well."

3. The defense looks strong.

Stetson's defensive play, both at the net and in the back row, has been one of the team's strengths the past few seasons, and several of the key contributors are back.

Spence returns at libero where she set the school single-season record last year with a 4.60 digs-per-set average.  Deisa and Ivanova each had dig averages above 2.5.  Deng said that Nieporte, Leipold, and Perez have also been improving with their passing game, giving the Hatters a strong presence in the back row once again.

At middle blocker, Schmid aims to capitalize on a junior campaign where she recorded over 100 blocks and averaged 0.96 blocks-per-set.  Deng is also looking for Schmid to become one of the team leaders this season.

"Bri doesn't say much, but she is improving in that area, especially in our meetings," Deng said.  "She is usually mellow, which is a very good personality to have in the leadership role when Eva and Emily are so passionate and outgoing.  Bri can be the person to have the small talks and give a little more positive encouragement."

4. The offense will need contributions across the board.

Deisa returns for her senior season after leading the team with 268 kills a year ago.  In three seasons, the outside hitter has averaged 2.45 kills and 2.66 digs per set while collecting nearly 600 kills.  

Also returning to the outside hitter spot is Nieporte, who parlayed a strong second half of the season into a solid spring campaign.  Nieporte averaged 2.09 kills-per-set as a sophomore and helped lead Stetson to a 3-0 victory over first place Kennesaw State on Oct. 27.

The Hatters will look for DeStaffino to handle the lion's share of the setting duties, with Ivanova and Leipold ready to step in as needed.  DeStaffino came back from a midseason injury last season to average 8.75 assists-per-set.  Ivanova has collected over 1300 assists in her first two years on the team.

The Hatters hope to improve on last year's .208 team attack percentage.

"We know as a team we collectively have to have a higher hitting percentage or have higher passing numbers in order to be successful," Deng said.  "We don't have one or two or three superstars.  We have to become the best team we can be, and the motivation has to come from inside the group."

5. There is no time like the present.  

The Hatters took a huge step last season, winning 16 games for the first time since 2014.  In fact, Stetson was just one of eight teams in the NCAA to post a 13-win improvement from the season before.  While the success was good for the program, Deng says she prefers to focus on the season at hand.

"I look at every season individually, so I don't really like to compare," Deng said.  "I feel like each team has its own personality.  That's why every season is very exciting.  It's always different. I think it is important for us to focus on how do we improve day to day and game to game.  I think it is easy for them to look back at last year and get excited, but they have to remember, it's already history."

The Hatters will look to make some new history beginning this weekend in Boca Raton.  Stetson will face Niagara and FAU on Friday before wrapping up the tournament against Grambling State on Saturday.  FAU will provide subscription based video for all the matches as well as free live stats (links listed above).  Postgame coverage can be found on GoHatters.com.

Fans can follow the Hatters all season long on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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.
 
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Players Mentioned

Emily DeStaffino

#11 Emily DeStaffino

S
5' 10"
Senior
Lindsey Leipold

#9 Lindsey Leipold

S/L
5' 6"
Sophomore
Alejandra Perez

#5 Alejandra Perez

OH
5' 8"
Sophomore
Chelcie Spence

#6 Chelcie Spence

DS
5' 2"
Junior
Eva Deisa

#23 Eva Deisa

OH
5' 10"
Senior
Naina Ivanova

#12 Naina Ivanova

L/S
5' 10"
Junior
Riley Nieporte

#8 Riley Nieporte

OH
5' 9"
Junior
Brianna Schmid

#2 Brianna Schmid

MB
6' 1"
Senior
Madison Baynard

#16 Madison Baynard

MB
6' 3"
Freshman
Elena Djokovic

#10 Elena Djokovic

OH
6' 1"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Emily DeStaffino

#11 Emily DeStaffino

5' 10"
Senior
S
Lindsey Leipold

#9 Lindsey Leipold

5' 6"
Sophomore
S/L
Alejandra Perez

#5 Alejandra Perez

5' 8"
Sophomore
OH
Chelcie Spence

#6 Chelcie Spence

5' 2"
Junior
DS
Eva Deisa

#23 Eva Deisa

5' 10"
Senior
OH
Naina Ivanova

#12 Naina Ivanova

5' 10"
Junior
L/S
Riley Nieporte

#8 Riley Nieporte

5' 9"
Junior
OH
Brianna Schmid

#2 Brianna Schmid

6' 1"
Senior
MB
Madison Baynard

#16 Madison Baynard

6' 3"
Freshman
MB
Elena Djokovic

#10 Elena Djokovic

6' 1"
Freshman
OH