LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Stetson volleyball earned a hard-fought 3-1 road victory over Bellarmine on Sunday at Knights Hall, taking the match by scores of 25-23, 25-20, 22-25 and 25-21. The Hatters' front line was dominant throughout, recording 14 team blocks to help secure their first ASUN road win of the year.
"The team displayed great teamwork and effort today. We are starting to play each point together regardless of the outcome," said Head Coach
Yang Deng.
Stetson showed resilience in the opening frame. After falling behind 5-1 early, the Hatters rallied behind
Nyah Molina's steady setting and
Zuzanna Bury's timely kills to pull within 10-8. Blocks from
Xinlei Yang and Molina keyed the comeback, and with late kills from
Lilyanna Parker and
Jenna Simmons, Stetson surged ahead to take the set 25-23.
The Hatters carried that momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 3-1 lead with early kills by Bury and Simmons. Key blocks from
Kayla Balfour and Molina and timely kills by Simmons and
Vanessa Shevchenko extended the lead to 21-18. Yang sealed the set with a final kill for a 25-20 victory and a 2-0 match advantage.
The Hatters briefly led 19-18, in the third set, after a
Jaycee Davis ace, but the Knights closed on a late run to take the set 25-22.
Stetson responded with a composed fourth set. Bury opened the scoring with a kill from Molina, and Simmons added multiple kills as the Hatters built an 11-7 lead. Bellarmine attempted to close the gap, but Stetson's block—led by Yang and Bury—continued to frustrate the Knights. The Hatters sealed the match 25-21 to finish off the 3-1 win.
Molina ran the offense with 42 assists and added 17 digs. Bury led all players with 18 kills and contributed five blocks, while Simmons tallied 14 kills and 12 digs.
Vitoria Stedile anchored the back row with 15 digs.
Stetson now heads to Fort Myers to face Florida Gulf Coast at Alico Arena on Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. as ASUN play continues.
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.
