Hatters Visit UNF for ASUN Divisional Quarterfinal

#3 STETSON (6-7) at #2 NORTH FLORIDA (9-9)
Date \| Time	Saturday, March 27 \| 7 p.m.
Location	UNF Arena, Jacksonville, Fla.
Video Link	ESPN+
Live Stats	UNF Live Stats
Programs	Game Notes
Social Media	Twitter \| Instagram \| Facebook
Bracket	ASUN Volleyball

Following a non-traditional regular season that flew by in a matter of weeks, the Stetson volleyball team will now set its sights on the Spring 2021 ASUN Conference Championship and competing for the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The third-seeded Hatters (6-7) will face the second-seeded UNF Ospreys (9-9) in the ASUN South Division quarterfinal Saturday evening at UNF Arena in Jacksonville. First serve is set for 7 p.m. with live coverage on ESPN+.

The winner advances to next week's semifinal and championship rounds in Kennesaw, Ga.

"Everyone is very excited," Stetson head coach Yang Deng said. "I know the girls have the mentality that they want to go as far as they can. Of course, they want to win for Nani and Chelcie, too. They have been great leaders this year. The team really loves them and wants to win for them as well."

Seniors Naina Ivanova and Chelcie Spence have stepped up for the Hatters this season. Ivanova is averaging nearly 9.9 assists and 2.9 digs per set, and she has recorded eight double-doubles. Spence, who became the program's all-time digs leader back on March 5th, is among the conference and NCAA leaders this season in digs-per-set (5.2). She has twice been named the ASUN Defensive Player of the Week.

The Hatters as a team have been very strong defensively. Stetson leads the league and ranks 11th in the country with an average of 18.45 digs-per-set.

Offensively, Elena Djokovic leads the way with an average of 4.0 kills-per-set. She has recorded double digit kills in nine of her 11 matches, including two matches with over 20 kills. Kaylee Oscarson owns the team's top attack percentage (.301) while Alexis Thompson leads in blocks (39) and blocks-per-set (0.87).

The Hatters are 6-2 in the last eight meetings with UNF. The teams split their season series 2-2 this season, with each team winning once at home and once on the road. Three of the past five meetings between Stetson and UNF have gone to five sets. The Ospreys lead the all-time series 21-12.

"We need to be disciplined in what we do, especially with the little details," Deng said. "This morning, I told the team at this point if you are worried you are not hitting the ball hard enough or your passing isn't good, it's too late. By now, you should have confidence in your skills. It's about how disciplined you are and making sure you are doing the right things, especially in those long rallies. Are you in the right position? Do you have the last minute focus and concentration to deliver and finish the play? That is the most important thing for us. If we can take care of the business we are supposed to take of, the result will come."

Stetson is seeking its first ASUN tournament victory since defeating Jacksonville State in 1995. Last season, the Hatters fell 3-1 to Lipscomb in the ASUN quarterfinal round.

Richard Miller and Tara Sunquist will call the action on ESPN+.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Elena Djokovic: OH; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#12 Naina Ivanova: L/S; 5' 10"; Senior

#22 Kaylee Oscarson: MB; 6' 5"; Sophomore

#6 Chelcie Spence: DS; 5' 2"; Senior

#4 Alexis Thompson: MB; 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#10 Elena Djokovic
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: OH

#12 Naina Ivanova
: 5' 10"; Senior
: L/S

#22 Kaylee Oscarson
: 6' 5"; Sophomore
: MB

#6 Chelcie Spence
: 5' 2"; Senior
: DS

#4 Alexis Thompson
: 5' 9"; Junior
: MB

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Hatters Visit UNF for ASUN Divisional Quarterfinal

Players Mentioned

#10 Elena Djokovic

#12 Naina Ivanova

#22 Kaylee Oscarson

#6 Chelcie Spence

#4 Alexis Thompson

Players Mentioned

#10 Elena Djokovic

#12 Naina Ivanova

#22 Kaylee Oscarson

#6 Chelcie Spence

#4 Alexis Thompson