DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson volleyball opens ASUN play on the road Saturday, Sept. 26, traveling to Fort Myers to face FGCU at 6 p.m. at Alico Arena.

Scouting the Hatters
Stetson enters conference play following a 1–1 weekend at the Owls Paradis Classic, where the Hatters fell to host Florida Atlantic before rallying for a five-set victory over Alabama State to close out the nonconference portion of their schedule.

Freshman Andrea Diaz Dominguez continues to lead the Hatters offensively after an impressive start to her collegiate career. Diaz Dominguez has totaled 99 kills and 116.0 points on the season while leading Stetson in kills, points and service aces. She has also recorded three double-doubles through the first portion of the season.

Jannelize Perez has anchored the Stetson defense, recording 146 digs and averaging 3.74 digs per set. She posted a team-high 21 digs in the Hatters' five-set victory over Alabama State.

The Hatters have also received a strong presence at the net from freshman Sofia Torcello and senior Kayla Balfour. Balfour leads the team with 36 total blocks, while Torcello has recorded 32. Torcello opened her collegiate career with seven blocks against FIU and followed with another seven-block performance against Merrimack. Balfour recorded a season-high eight blocks against FIU and is averaging one block per set.

Vanessa Shevchenko and Maia Pou have shared the setting duties for the Hatters throughout the season. Shevchenko has totaled 154 assists, 71 digs and 42 kills, while Pou has added 144 assists and seven service aces. Pou recorded a season-high 25 assists in Stetson's win over Alabama State.

As a team, Stetson has recorded 414 kills through 40 sets, averaging 10.4 kills per set while hitting .174. The Hatters are also averaging 9.7 assists, 14.5 digs and 2.1 blocks per set.

Scouting the Opponent
FGCU enters ASUN play with a 3–7 overall record after competing at the Husker Invitational, where the Eagles took a set from both No. 25 North Carolina and No. 1 Nebraska.

Maju Hildebrand leads FGCU with 120 kills while hitting .214 on 313 attempts, followed by Julija Grubisic Cabo with 109 kills. Grubisic Cabo has also contributed 92 digs, while Anna Marzella leads the Eagles with 111 digs.

Dinara Sabitova has directed the FGCU offense with 265 assists, averaging just under seven assists per set. At the net, Abby Toeniskoetter leads the Eagles with 29 blocks, followed closely by Amany Kuwa with 28.

As a team, FGCU has recorded 493 kills while hitting .197. The Eagles are averaging 12.6 kills, 11.8 assists, 12.3 digs and 1.8 blocks per set.

Series History
Saturday's matchup marks the 40th all-time meeting between Stetson and FGCU.

Fans can watch the game against Florida Atlantic on ESPN+ and the game against Alabama State on FloSports. 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.