DeLand, Fla. – Stetson Volleyball kicks off the 2025 season this weekend by hosting the Stetson Hatter Invitational, welcoming Northern Illinois, Lamar, and Southern Mississippi to the Insight Credit Union Arena at the Edmunds Center.
The tournament begins Friday with two neutral-site matches before Stetson takes the court for its season opener against Northern Illinois at 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, the Hatters face Lamar at 10:00 a.m. and close out the weekend against Southern Miss at 4:00 p.m.
After a challenging, injury-plagued 5-22 campaign in 2024, the Hatters are aiming for a strong bounce-back year and a return to the ASUN Tournament. Returning to the lineup are key contributors
Nyah Molina,
Kayla Balfour,
Jenna Simmons,
Selin Kalkan, and
Zuzanna Rut. They'll be joined by 10 newcomers stepping in to replace the production of outgoing seniors
Anabelle Standish,
Leilani Vitale, and
Haruka Sugimoto.
Scouting the Opponents
Northern Illinois (4-24 in 2024) features a youthful squad with 12 underclassmen, including seven true freshmen. Sophomore outside hitter Ava Grevengoed, who recorded 13 double-doubles last season, is a key player to watch.
Lamar (15-14 in 2024) reached the Southland Conference Tournament but fell in straight sets to No. 2 seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Defensive standout Keeley Nellis led the team with 421 digs last season.
Southern Mississippi (9-20 in 2024) closed their season with a loss to Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Tournament. Junior libero Sunni Sheppard, the 2025 Sun Belt Preseason Libero of the Year, returns after averaging 5.13 digs per set with a total of 569 digs.
Fan Information
Due to ongoing facility upgrades at the Insight Credit Union Arena, fans should park in the Rinker Field lot or the gravel lot at the Wilson Athletic Center. Entry will be through the main lobby. While traditional concessions will not be available, vending machines will be provided for fan use.
Action begins Friday at 11:00 a.m., with Stetson taking the court at 6:00 p.m. Live stats will be available throughout the tournament at GoHatters.com.
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.
