DeLand, Fla. — Stetson battled through a tough doubleheader on Saturday at the Edmunds Center, first falling in a five-set heartbreaker to Lamar (3-2), then dropping their second match of the day to Southern Miss in straight sets (3-0).
 
In the opening match against Lamar, the Hatters started strong with early offense led by setter Nyah Molina, who assisted on three consecutive kills by Zuzanna Bury, Xinlei Yang, and Lilyanna Parker to open up a 3-0 lead. Lamar answered with key scoring runs to take the first set 25-18.
 
Stetson bounced back convincingly in the second and third sets. A 6-0 run in the second, sparked by a Vitoria Stedile service ace, swung the momentum. Yang dominated at the net, while Bury and Kayla Balfour added timely kills. Freshman Vanessa Shevchenko made an impactful collegiate debut in the third set, recording her first career kill, assist, and block, helping Stetson to a 25-12 win.
 
The Hatters initially gained momentum with three consecutive points, featuring solid blocks from Yang and Parker. Lamar responded with a strong run to even the score and eventually pull ahead taking the set 25-21. Lamar capitalized on an early 6-0 run in the decisive fifth set dropping Stetson to 1-1 on the season.
 
Molina led the team with 41 assists and 25 digs, securing a 20-20 double-double. Yang tallied a career-high 18 kills, four blocks, and 22 points, while Bury contributed 17 kills and 16 digs.
 
In the afternoon match, Southern Miss took control early and never let up. Despite strong efforts from Stetson—including multiple kills from Yang and key assists from Molina—the Golden Eagles claimed the first set 25-15.

The Hatters showed signs of a comeback in the second set, briefly taking a 5-4 lead on a service ace by Jenna Simmons. Kills from Bury and Yang kept things close, but Southern Miss pulled away again to win 25-17.

In the third set, Stetson battled to stay in contention, leveling the score early behind kills from Lindsay Cox and Bury, but the Hatters couldn't maintain momentum and dropped the set 25-17.
 
Molina finished with 16 assists and 13 digs, marking her third consecutive double double. Yang's standout weekend earned her a spot on the all-tournament team, finishing with 32 kills, 8 digs and five blocks across the three matches.

Looking ahead, the Hatters will take on UCF this Friday at 1 p.m. The match is set to take place at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami, FL.