DELAND, Fla. — Stetson volleyball pushed Lipscomb in each set Friday at Insight Credit Union Arena but fell 3-0 (23-25, 22-25, 21-25). The Hatters recorded a season-high 65 digs, led by
Vitoria Stedile's season-best 25, and mounted a seven-point run in the third set to take a brief lead.
Stetson stayed competitive throughout the match, finishing with 38 kills and a .209 hitting percentage.
Kayla Balfour led the Hatters at the net offensively, recording seven kills without an error on 12 attempts for a .583 hitting percentage.
The Hatters battled back from an early 9-4 deficit in the opening set with four consecutive points, including a combined block from
Sofia Torcello and
Vanessa Shevchenko.
Soraya Teston's kill later tied the set at 11-11, and Stedile's service ace evened the score at 17-17. Stetson stayed within reach down the stretch, but Lipscomb edged ahead to take the set 25-23.
Stetson got off to a strong start in the second set, opening with three straight points behind a Shevchenko kill and blocks involving Teston, Torcello, Shevchenko and Balfour. The Hatters continued to battle after Lipscomb took the lead, cutting a late four-point deficit to two at 24-22 with a Lipscomb attack error and a
Karsu Bayraktar kill off a Shevchenko assist. Lipscomb closed the set 25-22.
The Hatters delivered their biggest run in the third set, overcoming a 14-8 deficit with seven consecutive points to take a 15-14 lead. Balfour recorded back-to-back kills during the stretch, while Shevchenko added a service ace. Stetson stayed close as the set progressed, but Lipscomb scored four of the final five points to secure the set 25-21.
Hatters Top Performers
- Vitoria Stedile: Season-high 25 digs and one service ace.
- Vanessa Shevchenko: 26 assists, tying her season high, 10 digs, five kills and three blocks, including one solo block, to reach 25 total blocks on the season.
- Karsu Bayraktar: Team-high nine kills and nine digs.
- Kayla Balfour: Seven kills on 12 attempts without an error for a .583 hitting percentage, and one block.
Up Next
The Hatters close out their homestand on Sunday, Oct. 11, hosting Bellarmine at 1 p.m. at Insight Credit Union Arena at the 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.
