DELAND, FLA- The Stetson University Volleyball team will take the court for the first time when they travel to Wilmington, North Carolina for the UNCW Hampton Inn University Invitational. The tournament will take place on August 25 and 26. Stetson will play Presbyterian College on Friday, August 25 at 3pm. On Saturday, August 26 at 12pm the Hatters will face UNCW which can be watch on FloSports before taking on Fordham University at 3pm.
History
The Hatters have matched up against Presbyterian three times earning a 2-1 record winning the last two. These teams last met in September of 2021 where the Hatters got the win in five sets. Stetson has faced off against UNCW three times as well. The first time these two teams played was in 1999 where the Hatters earned a 3-0 win. Stetson will be facing off against Fordham for the first time.
Scouting the Hatters
The Hatters will be returning six athletes from last year's roster including
Anabelle Standish,
Nyah Molina,
Leilani Vitale, and last year's ASUN Freshman of the Year
Sophia Groom. They are joined by six incoming students including graduate student
Amaris Carter from Seattle University, and
Selin Kalkan a transfer from the University of South Florida. As part of the six newcomers on the roster, two of them are freshman who have an opportunity to make an impact on the court.
Scouting the Competition
Presbyterian went 9-19 overall last season while going 5-11 in the Big South. The Blue Hose return eight players from last season while bringing in five newcomers to the team. Presbyterian also comes into the season with new Head Coach Steve Benson.
UNCW finished last season with a 6-19 record while also going 4-12 during conference play. The Seahawks have already played an exhibition this season where they beat Anderson University, 3 sets to none. Sixteen returning players are on the roster for the Seahawks with four newcomers joining the team. Graduate student Kailey Lanz, who led the team in kills last season returns to UNCW for another season.
Fordham University finished the 2022 season with a 13-16 record while going 7-11 through conference play. The Rams are led by senior Whitley Moody and sophomore Audrey Brown. Brown was an All-Rookie team selection in the conference last year.
