CHARLESTON, S.C. — Stetson rallied after a slow start to defeat Quinnipiac 3-1 on Friday at TD Arena. After dropping the opening set 25-21, the Hatters responded with three dominant sets—25-12, 25-14, and 25-19—fueled by a commanding performance at the net. Stetson tallied 21 total blocks, marking the first time the program has recorded 20 or more blocks in a match since October 8, 2021, against Liberty.
"We started slow in the first set but I'm happy with how we reset and improved our play throughout the match," said Head Coach
Yang Deng. "Our focus was to 'reset and work hard'." We did that and we did it with team work which we continually work on physically and mentally."
The match opened with a competitive first set, as Quinnipiac took an early lead. Stetson quickly responded, with
Xinlei Yang landing a kill assisted by
Nyah Molina to even the score. Midway through the set, the Hatters briefly pulled ahead but the Bobcats secured the first set 25-21.
"After the first set we talked about adjusting to different styles of play and we were able to do that defensively," said Coach Deng. "It's not easy to do for a young team to adjust for the game's situation but that's a great experience for everyone."
Stetson came out strong in the second set, opening with a 3-0 run driven by blocks by
Zuzanna Rut and
Nyah Molina. The Hatters quickly built a commanding lead, thanks in part to consistent setting from Molina, who surpassed the 3,000-career assist milestone during the match. She became just the third player in program history to reach both 3,000 assists and 1,000 digs. Stetson's defense proved impenetrable, with key blocks from
Kayla Balfour and Bury contributing to a lopsided 25-12 victory, capped by a Bury kill off a set from
Vanessa Shevchenko.
Carrying that momentum into the third set, the Hatters opened with a 5-0 run and never looked back. Balfour and
Jenna Simmons led the defensive front, combining for multiple blocks that extended the lead to 12-4. Balfour stood out with a career-high 13 total blocks. Rut added a service ace, and Simmons delivered a timely kill, helping Stetson maintain a double-digit lead. The Hatters closed out the set 25-14, finishing with another block from Balfour and Simmons.
The fourth set initially saw Quinnipiac take control, jumping out to an 8-1 advantage. However, Stetson quickly regrouped. A key block from Simmons and Balfour helped shift the momentum, and a 6-0 run on the serve of
Jaycee Davis—featuring a service ace and a kill from Molina—brought the Hatters within striking distance. With the score tied at 15-15, Yang's strong play at the net gave Stetson its first lead of the set at 17-16. From there, the Hatters maintained their composure and closed out the match with a 25-19 win, fittingly sealed by another Balfour block.
Statistically, the Hatters were led by Molina, who recorded 26 assists and added seven total blocks. Balfour anchored the defense with 13 blocks and contributed four kills. Simmons posted nine kills, one service ace, and five total blocks, while Bury added 12 kills and eight digs.
Stetson will return to action on Saturday, September 13, when they face Youngstown State at 3 p.m. at TD Arena in Charleston.
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.
