CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Stetson battled Queens on Friday at Curry Arena, falling 3-0 with set scores of 19-25, 23-25 and 16-25. The Hatters put together a strong second-set rally, overcoming a six-point deficit to take a late lead before Queens closed out the set.
Stetson finished with 36 kills and recorded 59 digs, led by
Vitoria Stedile's team-high 16. Stetson's strongest stretch came in the second set, when the Hatters won seven of eight points to erase a 19-13 deficit and move in front 21-20.
The Hatters stayed within reach throughout the opening set, using kills from
Karsu Bayraktar,
Sofia Torcello,
Andrea Diaz Dominguez and
Soraya Teston to cut into the Queens lead. Trailing 17-12, Stetson put together a four-point stretch to pull within 18-16.
Kayla Balfour added a late kill and contributed to two blocks, but Queens took the opening set 25-19.
Stetson delivered its biggest push of the night in the second set, rallying from a 19-13 deficit to take a 21-20 lead.
Maria Ozaeta served during the seven-point run, while Diaz Dominguez recorded three kills to help fuel the comeback. Teston put the Hatters in front with a kill, and after Queens regained the lead, Balfour answered with a kill to tie the set at 23-23. Queens managed the final two points to take the set 25-23.
In the third set, Stetson continued to compete offensively, with Diaz Dominguez recording four kills. Maia Keely Pou and Balfour added late kills, while Torcello contributed a solo block. The Hatters also received a strong defensive effort from Stedile, who finished with 16 digs, but Queens secured the set 25-16 to close out the match.
Hatters Top Performers
- Andrea Diaz Dominguez: Team-high 13 kills, eight digs
- Vitoria Stedile: Team-high 16 digs, extending her streak to four consecutive matches with at least 15 digs, and one service ace
- Maia Keely Pou: Team-high 21 assists, five digs and one service ace
- Kayla Balfour: Team-high five total blocks, and five kills. Has recorded at least four blocks in seven consecutive matches
- Sofia Torcello: Six kills without an error on 16 attempts for a .375 hitting percentage, along with one solo block.
Up Next
The Hatters close out their final road trip of the season on Sunday, Nov. 8, taking on West Florida at 2 p.m. at the UWF Field House in Pensacola.
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.
