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Elena Djokovic 2021
Steve Simoneau
3
Winner Stetson Stet 6-8,1-1 ASUN
2
North Ala. UNA 6-9,0-2 ASUN
Winner
Stetson Stet
6-8,1-1 ASUN
3
Final
2
North Ala. UNA
6-9,0-2 ASUN
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Stetson Stet 20 25 25 25 15 (3)
North Ala. UNA 25 17 19 27 11 (2)

Game Recap: Volleyball | | Athletic Communications

Djokovic's Record-Setting Performance Propels Hatters Past North Alabama 3-2

Hatter junior sets school record with 32 kills

Jacksonville, Ala. -- Elena Djokovic broke the all-time school record with 32 kills, including the game-winner in the decisive fifth set, as Stetson rallied for a 3-2 (20-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-27, 15-11) victory over North Alabama Saturday afternoon at Pete Mathews Coliseum.

Stetson trailed 1-0 after the first set and fell behind 7-6 in the fifth set, but the Hatters (6-8, 1-1 ASUN) made several key plays down the stretch to secure their first ASUN win of the season.  

Djokovic, a junior outside hitter, surpassed her previous career-high of 25 kills late in the fourth set.  She then broke Kaley Melville's rally-scoring-era record of 28 kills midway through the fifth frame.  However, it was her 32nd and final kill of the match that broke the all-time school record, previously held by Melissa Roy, who notched 31 kills vs. Jacksonville on Nov. 12, 1996.

"Elena was on it today," Stetson head coach Yang Deng said.  "Nyah was setting her up very well and they couldn't stop her. She was on top of her game every single swing. We really needed her to bring up the team's level of play."

After dropping the first set 25-20, Stetson jumped out to a quick 11-3 lead in set 2.  North Alabama cut the deficit to five but would pull no closer. Djokovic collected nine of her kills in the second set alone.

The third set played much tighter, with the teams battling their way to a 13-13 tie midway through the frame.  Stetson then went on an 8-2 run to pull away.  The Hatters did not commit an attack error the entire set and hit .619 (13-0-21) overall.

In the fourth set, the Hatters were twice just one point away from clinching the match, but the Lions (6-9, 0-2) survived both times and held on for a 27-25 win.

A seesaw fifth set featured ties at each of the first six points, but after UNA took a 7-6 lead, Stetson took a timeout. Following the break, Alexis Thompson stepped up with a kill and a pair of blocks to give Stetson a 9-7 lead.  Then Djokovic recorded kills on three of the next four points to help the Hatters extend the lead.  Leilani Vitale delivered two clutch blocks down the stretch as well.

With the win, Stetson improved to 5-0 all-time vs. North Alabama.

Djokovic committed just five errors on 60 swings, good for a .450 attack pct.  Kaylee Oscarson (11 kills) and Beatriz Vossen (10 kills) joined Djokovic in double figures in kills.  Nyah Molina registered a season-high 53 assists to go along with 11 digs.  Alejandra Perez (15 digs) and Lauren Vargo (13) helped anchor the back row.  Thompson led the front row with five blocks.  

As a team, Stetson hit a season-high .378.  Seven of Stetson's nine blocks in the match came in the final one-and-a-half sets.

"We are still very young and inconsistent," Deng said.  "We are learning how to have fun but at the same time play together. It is just something we have to go through. We have to make sure the consentration level is up to the speed of the game."

Djokovic is the first ASUN player in four years with at least 32 kills in a match. She is just the seventh player in Division I to reach that total this season and just the third Stetson player all-time with 30 or more kills in a match.

The Hatters will look to win the weekend when they face Central Arkansas at 12 p.m. ET Sunday.

 
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