Charleston, SC - Stetson fell in straight sets to the College of Charleston (25-21, 25-17, 25-18) on Sunday afternoon at TD Arena.
The Hatters opened the first set with energy, as
Xinlei Yang made an immediate impact by blocking a shot from Charleston's Izzy Marinelli to put Stetson on the board.
Jenna Simmons followed with a service ace, and the combination of
Kayla Balfour and
Nyah Molina delivered a key block to tie the score at 15-15. The Hatters battled evenly through the middle of the set, but a late Charleston surge allowed the Cougars to take the opener, 25-21.
Stetson carried its momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 4-1 lead behind early kills from Yang and
Zuzanna Bury, with Molina running the offense.
Vanessa Shevchenko and Yang teamed up for a strong block, and Balfour added a kill to keep Stetson within striking distance. However, Charleston capitalized on a late run to take control and secure the set, 25-17.
In the third, Simmons delivered another early service ace to level the score at 2-2, and the Hatters fought through a tough mid-set stretch as Charleston pulled ahead. Yang and Bury continued to provide key kills, with Molina orchestrating the attack, but the Cougars maintained their lead and closed out the match with a 25-18 win.
Nyah Molina recorded a double-double with 20 assists and 11 digs, leading the team on both ends of the court.
Xinlei Yang paced the offense with 10 kills, while both Molina and Yang were named to the All-Tournament Team for their standout efforts over the weekend.
Now 3-6 on the season, Stetson looks to regroup as it continues its road stretch. The Hatters head to Boca Raton to take on Florida Atlantic on Friday, September 19, with first serve scheduled for noon at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.
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.
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