The Hatters fell to Kennesaw State Friday night 2-3 at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
In a match that could have gone either way the Hatters came up just short after in the fifth set 13-15. The set featured a lot of back-and-forth action until the Hatters fell behind 9-13. Stetson would go on a 3-0 including a block and ace by Sophia Groom to close the gap to one. They couldn't tie the game or take the lead however and drop to 2-1 in conference play.
 
Stetson started out very flatfooted in the first set going down 0-6. They couldn't find a way to make up much ground as many of their block attempts would end up as deflections benefiting the Owls. There were also some miscommunications on attacks that lead to the Hatters struggles as well as the first set ended 13-25.
 
The Hatters would flip a switch going into the second set as they would take a 8-3 lead on a five point scoring run. Stetson would show off their defensive skills by totaling 14 blocking assists as they would win the set 25-20.
 
The third set would show the two teams going back and forth trading points with no team go up by two points until the Hatters took a 12-9 lead. Each time the Hatters would try to extend the lead the Owls would keep up pace. The Hatters would go on a four-point scoring streak to close out the set 25-21 which included two kills from Leilani Vitale. 
 
The Hatters would see the Owls build up a late set lead 12-17. The Hatters would go on two different three-point scoring runs to close the gap to two. Stetson would continue clawing back as the two teams would be tied at 24 and 25. The Hatters were unable to close out the set as it would end 25-27. 
 
Anabelle Standish would lead the team in kills with 16 while adding ten kills to finish with a double double. Amaris Carter was the other Hatter to have a double double as she would tally 12 kills and 13 digs. Groom would lead the team with 7 total blocks while also adding 11 kills and Nyah Molina would lead the Hatters in assists and digs as she had 43 and 24 respectively.
 
Stetson would look to bounce back Sunday afternoon against Queens. The match will begin at 1pm on October 1 at Curry Arena.