CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Stetson pushed Queens to the limit in a five-set battle on Sunday afternoon at Curry Arena, but the Hatters came up just short, 3-2 (22-25, 25-19, 25-22, 19-25, 15-17).
Stetson found its rhythm midway through the opening frame, sparked by a string of kills from
Zuzanna Bury that erased an early deficit and tied the score at 19-19. The Hatters stayed within reach thanks to a well-placed kill from
Xinlei Yang, but Queens managed to close out the set 25-22.
The Hatters answered immediately in the second, building momentum behind strong net play and balanced offense. Bury delivered another standout performance, notching multiple kills down the stretch — including the set-clincher off a
Vanessa Shevchenko assist — to secure a 25-19 win. The performance marked Bury's third straight match with 20+ kills, continuing her dominant stretch of play.
In the third set, Stetson capitalized on a series of Queens errors and turned the tide with key plays from Bury,
Lilyanna Parker, and
Zuzanna Rut at the net.
Nyah Molina distributed the ball effectively, guiding the Hatters to a 25-22 victory and a 2-1 match lead.
The Hatters jumped out to a 9-4 advantage in the fourth set behind blocks from
Jenna Simmons and Rut and kills from Parker and Balfour, but Queens mounted a rally to even the match with a 25-19 win, forcing a deciding fifth set.
Stetson came out firing in the fifth, taking the first four points thanks to two kills from Bury and strong service from
Vitoria Stedile and
Lindsay Cox. Both sides traded points in a tense back-and-forth stretch, with Bury adding a service ace and several key kills to keep the Hatters in contention. In the end, Queens edged Stetson 17-15 to take the match.
Bury led all players with 26 kills and added five blocks, while Molina recorded her 19th double-double of the season with 36 assists and 18 digs. Balfour was a force at the net with eight blocks, and Stedile matched Molina's defensive presence with 18 digs.
Stetson will return home to Insight Credit Union Arena next Sunday, Nov. 9, to face Eastern Kentucky at 1 p.m.
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.
