DeLand, Fla. — Stetson University volleyball opens the 2026 season this weekend with a pair of Preseason All-ASUN selections leading the way as the Hatters travel to the Florida Atlantic Invitational. Zuzanna Bury, the ASUN's leader in kills, kills per set and points last season, and Vitoria Stedile, who led Stetson with 3.85 digs per set a year ago, were both named to the Preseason All-ASUN Team. The Hatters will face FIU at 12:30 p.m. and Florida Atlantic at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28 before closing out the weekend against Merrimack at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena in Boca Raton, Fla.
Bury returns as the centerpiece of the Hatters' attack after leading the ASUN in kills, kills per set and points in 2025. Stedile provides a strong presence on the defensive end after pacing Stetson with 3.85 digs per set last season. Kayla Balfour also returns after leading the Hatters with 114 blocks a season ago. Vanessa Shevchenko, Karsu Bayraktar and Xinlei Yang round out the returning group, while 12 newcomers join the roster as Stetson enters the season with a significantly revamped squad.
Last season, Stetson ranked second in the ASUN in kills, first in attack attempts, third in blocks and third in digs. The Hatters finished the 2025 season with a 9-19 overall record and a 5-11 mark in conference play. Stetson was picked to finish sixth in the 2026 ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll and will look to exceed those expectations as the new season gets underway.
FIU
FIU enters the season after posting a 20-12 overall record and a 12-4 mark in Conference USA play last season. The Panthers advanced to the CUSA Championship match before falling to Western Kentucky in five sets. Jillian Huckabey returns as FIU's top offensive weapon after earning Preseason All-Conference honors. She recorded 271 kills and 292 digs last season, including 14 matches with double-digit kills.
Florida Atlantic
Florida Atlantic finished last season with a 19-11 overall record and went 10-6 in conference play. The Owls earned the No. 6 seed in the conference tournament before falling to No. 3 seed Tulsa in four sets. Outside hitter Olivia Hart returns after being named to the American Preseason All-Conference Team. Hart posted 385 kills, 41 service aces and 301 digs last season, recording double-digit kills in 12 matches.
Merrimack
Merrimack is coming off a 9-18 season in which the Warriors went 7-11 in conference play and missed the postseason. Junior Mckenna Shotwell returns as Merrimack's top offensive weapon after recording 268 kills and 366 digs last season. She will look to build on that production as the Warriors open the 2026 campaign at the Florida Atlantic Invitational.
Fans can watch the game against Florida Atlantic on fausports.com, and live stats for each match are available at GoHatters.com. Follow Stetson Athletics on social media for the latest updates and coverage.
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.
