Statesboro, Ga. – The Stetson volleyball team left little doubt about the title at the season-opening Battle in the Boro on Saturday.
After sweeping host Georgia Southern in Friday's match, the Hatters cruised to consecutive 3-0 victories over USC Upstate and Alcorn State on Saturday to lay claim to the title. It is the first 3-0 start to a season for the Hatters since 2018.
The opening match of the day, against former ASUN foe USC Upstate, followed much the same script as Friday's victory over Georgia Southern. The Hatters jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the first game, but found themselves down 18-17 after a Spartans run. Stetson answered with a 7-1 run with senior
Elena Djokovic picking up a kill and a block solo to go along with a kill by senior
Alexis Thompson, a block solo by sophomore
Nyah Molina and a service ace by sophomore
Lauren Vargo.
Upstate held off a pair of set points before Djokovic gave Stetson a 1-0 lead with a kill off an assist from Molina for a 25-21 victory.
The Hatters had to play from behind early in the second game as Upstate raced out to an 8-2 lead early, but Stetson rallied to tie the match at 15 before pulling away for a 25-18 win on a string of kills by Djokovic, Thompson and Molina.
The third game was back-and-forth early, and stood tied at 7 when Stetson ran off eight consecutive points for a 15-7 lead. The Spartans closed back to within 16-11 before Stetson an off another streak of six straight points. Freshman
Sophia Groom hammered home the final point for a 25-15 Stetson win and a 3-0 match victory.
Djokovic led Stetson with 13 kills in the match while Thompson had 10 on a .556 kill percentage. Molina added 32 assists to her 12 digs. The Hatters out-hit Upstate .294 to .153.
Stetson's final match in the tournament was never in doubt. Alcorn State stayed within one point of the Hatters, 9-8, early in the match, but Stetson pulled away with 16-5 run to close out the opening game 25-13. The Braves were within 9-7 in the second set when Stetson went on a 12-4 run before closing out the Braves 25-17 for a 2-0 lead.
The Hatters left no doubt in the third set, pulling out to an early 11-3. Stetson went on to score the final five points of the game to secure a 25-12 win and the Hatters' third consecutive 3-0 win of the tournament.
Sophomore Leilani led Stetson with eight kills in the match with Groom chipping in with seven. Freshman
Madilyn Jerald had a team-high 11 digs while Molina contributed another 23 assists, giving her 80 assists in the tournament.
An All-Tournament team for the Bash in the Boro was named after the final match with Djokovic earning MVP honors. She was joined on the All-Tournament team by Molina and
Anabelle Standish.
The Hatters will return to action next weekend in the Paradise Classic, the second of their four consecutive weekend tournaments. Stetson will open that event, hosted by Florida Atlantic, on Friday at 10 a.m. against the same Alcorn State squad before facing Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday afternoon. The Hatters will then face host FAU on Saturday at noon.
The Hatters will make their home debut the weekend of September 9-10 at the Stetson Invitational with matches against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Bethune-Cookman and Mercer.
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.
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