JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Stetson closed its 2025 season on Friday night at Swisher Gymnasium, falling 3-0 to Jacksonville University with set scores of 12-25, 16-25, and 15-25. The Hatters finish the year at 9-19 overall and 5-11 in ASUN play.

Jacksonville opened the match with early pressure, but Stetson found moments of rhythm midway through the first set. Kills from Kayla Balfour and sophomore outside hitter Zuzanna Bury helped the Hatters trim the deficit to 12-9. Despite the push, Stetson couldn't fully close the gap as Jacksonville used a late run to take the opening frame.

Stetson put together its strongest start in the second set, jumping ahead 2-0 behind a Bury kill and block. Another kill from Bury, assisted by Vanessa Shevchenko, extended the early lead before the Dolphins evened the score. Stetson kept the set tight through 9-9 with contributions from Xinlei Yang and a service ace from Bury, but Jacksonville created separation midway through the frame and held on to take the second.

The Hatters opened the third set with a quick response after falling behind 4-0, closing to within one thanks to a Yang kill and a service ace from Jaycee Davis. Stetson continued to find timely swings—highlighted by kills from Bury and a service ace from Lindsay Cox—but Jacksonville kept control with steady side-out play and closed the match with a late run.

Bury led Stetson with 11 kills and added nine digs. Shevchenko paced the offense with 23 assists and matched Bury with nine digs. Yang finished with five kills on a .385 hitting percentage, while Balfour added five kills and a block assist.

Stetson concludes the 2025 season with a 9-19 overall record and a 5-11 mark in ASUN play.
 
.About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.