NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Stetson volleyball wrapped up its road trip Saturday at Allen Arena, falling to Lipscomb in straight sets, 21-25, 15-25, 21-25.
The Hatters showed their presence at the net with four total blocks, including a team-high four from Kayla Balfour, who extended her streak to four consecutive matches with at least four blocks. Karsu Bayraktar led the Hatters with nine kills, while Vitoria Stedile recorded a team-high 15 digs.
Stetson opened the match with consecutive blocks involving Balfour, including a shared block with Vanessa Shevchenko. The Hatters continued to keep pace and pulled even at 15-15 on a Sofia Torcello kill and a Lipscomb attack error. The teams traded points down the stretch, with Bayraktar adding a late kill, but the Bisons edged ahead to take the opening set 25-21.
The Hatters again stayed close early in the second set, tying the score at 3-3 on kills from Balfour and Shevchenko. Lipscomb built a lead midway through the set, but Stetson continued to look for openings as Shevchenko added a kill and Stedile recorded a service ace to make it 16-12. Lipscomb closed the set with a late run to take it 25-15.
Stetson put together its strongest late push in the third set. After battling back to tie the score at 20-20 on a Torcello kill, Bayraktar followed with another kill to give the Hatters a 21-20 lead. Lipscomb responded with five consecutive points to close the set 25-21 and secure the match.
Hatters Top Performers
· Karsu Bayraktar: Team-high nine kills
· Kayla Balfour: Six kills on .364 hitting, four total blocks, including two solo blocks
· Vitoria Stedile: Team-high 15 digs, four assists and one service ace
· Vanessa Shevchenko: Team-high 21 assists, seven digs, three kills on .750 hitting and two block assists
Up Next
Stetson returns home to host Jacksonville on Friday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. at Insight Credit Union Arena at the Edmunds Center in DeLand, Florida.
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.
