DELAND, Fla. — Stetson volleyball battled throughout its home conference opener on Friday at Insight Credit Union Arena, making multiple pushes against West Florida before falling 3-0.
Stetson showed its resilience throughout the match, twice cutting six-point deficits to two and staying within striking distance late in the first two sets. Karsu Bayraktar led the Hatters with eight kills while Kayla Balfour added five kills on .364 hitting.
The Hatters erased an early 6-3 deficit in the first set, using a block from Sofia Torcello and Vanessa Shevchenko followed by a Maia Pou service ace to pull even at 6-6. Stetson remained within reach behind kills from Balfour, Andrea Diaz Dominguez, Eden Bristow and Bayraktar. The Hatters continued to battle late, trailing 22-20 before West Florida closed the set with three straight points to take it 25-20.
Stetson made another push in the second set after falling behind 16-10. A Bayraktar kill off an assist from Jannelize Perez brought the Hatters within two at 20-18, while Shevchenko added a kill and Balfour and Bayraktar recorded late kills to keep Stetson within reach. The Hatters continued to fight through the final points before dropping the set 25-20.
The Hatters again battled back in the third set after falling behind 11-5. Perez served an ace and West Florida committed consecutive attack errors as Stetson cut the deficit to 13-11. The Hatters continued to compete, but ultimately dropped the set 25-13.
Hatters Top Performers
Up Next
The Hatters return to action on Sunday, Oct. 4, hosting Queens at 1 p.m. at Insight Credit Union Arena at Edmunds Center in DeLand.
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.
