DeLand, Fla. – Stetson Volleyball pushed Central Arkansas to the brink of defeat but fell just short in five sets. The Hatters came out with their best performance of the season as they battled against the team at the top of the standings in the Atlantic Sun. Prior to the match, the team honored Beach Volleyball Alumni Shae Henson on their Breast Cancer Awareness night.
 
Stetson and Central Arkansas battled in the first set as every time the Bears pulled away, the Hatters reeled them back in. The Hatters fell just short dropping the first set 25-22 before falling in the second set 25-18.
 
To start the third set, Stetson came out on a heater going on an early 3-0 run. Later in the set the Hatters collected some timely blocks to go on another 3-0 scoring run and take a 21-17 lead. Stetson continued to swing away grabbing a 25-21 set victory and forced a fourth set. 
 
In the fourth set, Stetson jumped out on a 3-0 scoring run once again. The Hatters pushed their lead to nine later in the set after back-to-back kills from Anabelle Standish and Leilani Vitale. The lead continued to grow to double digits and Stetson didn't look back commanding the set 25-15. 
 
It all came down to the fifth set, and the two teams were deadlocked trading kills. The lead continued trading hands until the Hatters took a 12-10 lead. However, that lead wouldn't hold and the Hatters dropped the fifth set 15-12 and the match 3-2. 
 
Standish and Elif Yasar each secured a double-double. Yasar tallied a career high 48 assists and 14 digs while Standish totaled 18 kills, which was tied for the team lead and a season high 16 digs. Jenna Simmons was the other player with eighteen kills, a career high. Kayla Balfour had double digit kills with 11 and led the team with seven total blocks. Haruka Sugimoto tied her season high in digs with 27.
 
The Hatters will be back in the Edmunds Center on Sunday, October 20 to take on North Alabama. That match will begin at 1:00pm.