FORT MYERS, Fla. — Stetson (5-9, 1-1 ASUN) battled through five sets on Tuesday night but came up short against FGCU (7-5, 2-0 ASUN) at Alico Arena, falling 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 10-15.

"Even though the match didn't go our way tonight, I am very happy to see our team compete together with everyone contributing in different ways. It's a great learning experience for us," said Head Coach Yang Deng. 

The Hatters came out strong in the opening frame, building an early 7-3 lead behind key blocks and an ace from Xinlei Yang. Kills from Jenna Simmons and defensive efforts by Kayla Balfour and Karsu Bayraktar kept Stetson in control, and an FGCU error closed out the 25-22 win.

FGCU answered in the second, but the Hatters fought back from a 14-11 deficit to pull even at 19-19 thanks to timely kills from Bayraktar and strong net defense. The Eagles regained momentum late, however, and evened the match with a 25-20 win.

Stetson responded in the third set, with Yang and Bayraktar leading the offense and a Yang service ace helping build a 19-14 cushion. The Eagles rallied, but Simmons' late kill sealed a 25-23 victory to put the Hatters back on top.

The fourth set swung early to FGCU, but the Hatters clawed back with a 5-0 run sparked by another Yang ace. Stetson stayed within striking distance late, closing to 24-21 behind kills from Bayraktar and Simmons, before a service error gave FGCU the set.

In the deciding frame, Simmons sparked a rally with a kill and an ace that cut the deficit to 8-7. FGCU, however, held firm down the stretch and closed out the match 15-10.

Nyah Molina paced the Hatters with 37 assists and 20 digs, while Bayraktar led the team in kills in her first collegiate match with 13. Yang wasn't far behind with 12 kills of her and added six blocks. Balfour controlled the net with a team-high seven blocks, and Vitoria Stedile anchored the back row with a season high 25 digs.

Stetson now returns home to host Queens on Friday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. inside the Edmunds Center.

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.