DELAND, FLA.- The Stetson Volleyball team defeated Presbyterian three sets to one Friday afternoon in their first game of the UNCW Hampton Inn University Invitational.
 
The Hatters jumped out to a hot start in the first set as they scored the first four points. The Hatters ended up going 10-5 forcing Presbyterian to call a timeout. Stetson kept the five point advantage when Presbyterian called their second timeout of the set with the Hatters up 18-13. The Hatters would end up going on a five point scoring run to close out the first set 25-14. A key part of success in the first set was five different Hatters earning three kills. 
 
In the second set the Hatters were down 1-5 before scoring five points in a row to take the lead back in the set. Later in the set the Hatters were down by a point when they rattled off four straight points to retake the lead once again. Stetson continued fighting however they fell short in this set.
 
The Hatters fell behind again early in the third set when Head Coach Yang Deng called a timeout. Stetson came out of the timeout and chipped away on the Blue Hose lead until both teams were tied at 16. The Hatters rattled off a 12-0 run to end up winning the third set 25-16.
 
The fourth set was very back and forth with neither team able to create separation until the Presbyterian called a timeout with the Hatters up 13-9. Presbyterian then called another timeout minutes later falling behind five points. The gap didn't get smaller than five as the Hatters closed out the fourth set with a score of 25-18.
 
Anabelle Standish, Sophia Groom, and Amaris Carter each registered double digit kills. Standish lead the team with 18 as Groom and Carter each had 10. Nyah Molina totalled up 41 out of the Hatters 51 assists. Haruka Sugimoto was the Hatter's libero for all four sets while registering 28 digs.
 
Stetson will take on UNCW and Fordham tomorrow at 12pm and 3pm respectively at Hanover Hall.