Fort Myers, Fla. – Stetson Volleyball dropped a close three set match to Florida Gulf Coast Tuesday evening. 
 
The Hatters trailed early in the first set but went on a 4-0 run including kills from Leilani Vitale and Jenna Simmons to pull them team to within two points. Stetson couldn't get any closer than two though, dropping the first set 25-18.
 
Starting the second set, the two teams battled back and forth with the lead changing hands multiple times. The Hatters used a 3-point scoring run to take an 8-6 lead. Head Coach Yang Deng was able to push the Stetson lead to four after winning her second challenge of the match. The Eagles came back and tied the match at 19 and the two teams started trading blows once again. Each team had multiple opportunities to clinch set point before the Hatters fell in the marathon of a set 31-29. 
 
Stetson fell in three sets after dropping the third set 25-14. 
 
Seven different Hatters recorded a kill in the match with Simmons and Vitale leading the way tallying eight a piece. Elif Yasar finished with a double-double leading the team in assists with 17 while also picking up ten digs. 
 
Up next for the Hatters is a match with Central Arkansas on Friday, October 18. The match will begin at 6pm in the Insight Credit Union Arena at the Edmunds Center.