KENNESAW, Ga. – Stetson Volleyball punched up early, taking a set, but fell to Kennesaw, 3-1, Friday night in the KSU Convocation Center.
 
"We fought well and were pretty good competition," head coach Yang Deng said, "but we lost the game due to passing and serving game, which is a big part of volleyball."
 
 SU was locked in the first set, jumping out to a 7-3 advantage. The home side found its stride near the midway point and took a 12-10. The teams pounded kills back and forth with 10 ties and five lead changes before Alexis Thompson clinched the first set for the Hatters, 25-22.
 
The second set appeared to be more of the same with the sides pushing each other, until Kennesaw seized momentum. KSU was up two, 18-16, and reeled off a 7-2 run to close set two and even the match at 1-1.
 
The swing carried through the third and the Hatters found themselves in a hole early, down 13-5. The advantage swelled to 11, 21-10, as the home side grabbed the third set and the lead in the match, 2-1.
 
Stetson rebounded in the fourth. The match resumed parity with six ties and three lead changes over the frame with each side being limited by the other until KSU notched a 6-0 run to go up 16-12. SU battled back with a streak of its own, going up 22-20, but the home side took the final five points of the set, which in turn gave the side the match.
 
It was the third match in a row where Kennesaw State was forced into more than three sets of action.
 
Leilani Vitale notched a double-double, 15 kills and 11 digs, while pacing the squad in kills. Nyah Molina recorded a double-double with 30 assists 17 digs. Elena Djokovic also broke double digit kills with 10. Madilyn Jerald notched 19 digs.
 
The Hatters will now make their way to Jacksonville, Alabama to face Jacksonville State, tomorrow at 4 p.m.
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS. Get in on the conversation on social media by following Stetson Athletics on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For video content, visit our YouTube channels: Stetson Hatters, Stetson Athletics and, for live events, Hatter Vision.