DeLand, Fla. – Stetson University Volleyball is proud to announce the addition of nine new student-athletes ahead of the 2025 season. Following a challenging 2024 campaign plagued by injuries and marked by the graduation of veteran leaders Anabelle Standish, Leilani Vitale, Haruka Sugimoto, and Elif Yasar, the Hatters are reloading with a mix of promising freshmen and experienced transfers.
Head Coach Yang Deng, entering her ninth season at the helm, is focused on building a deeper, more competitive roster to improve upon last year's 5-22 record.
"We are very excited about this incoming 2025 class," said Head Coach Yang Deng. Every individual newcomer will bring their unique experiences and talent to the team. We had a very tough season last year, but tough times shows who we are as a team. While we are so appreciative of our past players and what they've done over the years for us. We are even more excited for these young players potential for continue to build our programs future."
Meet the New Hatters:
Zuzanna Bury – A 5'11" outside hitter from Żywiec, Poland, Bury joins the Hatters after transferring from Towson University. She appeared in six matches with the Tigers, recording five kills, four aces, an assist, and 10 digs. Prior to Towson, she played at ZSGD Poznań in Poland.
Vitoria Stedile – A 5'5" libero from Brazil, Stedile transfers from Garden City Community College. Over two seasons, she competed in 58 matches, registering five kills, 168 assists, 1,278 digs, and 85 service aces.
Vanessa Shevchenko – A 6'0" setter from St. Augustine, Fla., Shevchenko played varsity at Tocoi Creek High School and for OTVA. Over two seasons, she played in 130 sets and totaled 125 kills, 49 aces, 50 blocks, 334 digs, and 908 assists.
Lindsay Cox – A 5'10" outside hitter from Jupiter Christian School (Fla.), Cox joins with a standout high school résumé. She broke the school record for career blocks in 2024 and was a Palm Beach Post Athlete of the Week. In 2023, she earned First Team All-County honors, led her district in hitting percentage, ranked second in kills, and was named to the AVCA Phenom Watch List.
Xinlei Yang – A 6'4" middle blocker from Beijing, China, Yang brings international experience and size to the net. A 2024 East Asia Women's Volleyball Champion, Yang played for Beijing No.101 Middle School and competed in the China High School Volleyball League.
Amber Engelhart – A 5'5" defensive specialist from Fort Myers, Fla., Engelhart played varsity at Fort Myers High School and was MVP for both CCVA 15's and 16's Red teams. As a junior, she recorded 89 kills, 48 assists, and 215 digs in 90 sets. She also excelled in beach volleyball, earning a spot on The News-Press 2025 All-Area Beach Volleyball Team with a 17-1 record alongside her partner, Corr.
Lilyanna Parker – Standing at 6'1", incoming freshman Parker from Summerville, South Carolina brings valuable versatility to the Hatters, with the ability to play both middle and outside hitter positions. A standout at Summerville High School, she also competed for multiple club teams, showcasing her all-around skill set. Over three varsity seasons, Parker played in 121 sets, recording 427 kills, 41 assists, 66 aces, 197 digs, and 73 total blocks, making her a dynamic addition to Stetson's 2025 roster.
Additionally, Kiya Colvin and Yaren Karsu Bayraktar will join the active roster after deferring enrollment last year due to injuries.
These nine newcomers will unite with returning Hatters Nyah Molina, Kayla Balfour, Jenna Simmons, Selin Kalkan and Zuzanna Rut this August as the team prepares for an exciting 2025 season at Insight Credit Union Arena at the Edmunds Center.
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.
