Hatters Win a Pair of Five-Set Marathons

Julie Varga pumps a fist in the air after a key play in the Volleyball tournament.
Julie Varga, No. 16, a 6-foot senior from Norway, helps the Hatters win two five-set marathons in the Edmunds Center.

The Hatters had quite the day Saturday, playing 4.5 hours of volleyball, rallying from behind three times, setting two school records, and staving off one match point.

And let’s not overlook a jaw-dropping 200 digs by the defense.

In the end, Stetson won two five-set marathons, defeating both Chicago State and Bethune-Cookman by 3-2 scores on Saturday, Sept. 15, the final day of the Stetson Invitational at the Edmunds Center.

The Hatters improved to 8-4 on the season, winning two five-setters on the same day for the first time in 30 years.

“I think it was a great team effort,” Stetson head coach Yang Deng said.  “It also showed that our team is learning how to come back in tough sets.  Physically and mentally, for winning two five-setters, it was a really good job (by everyone).”

Against Chicago State (6-8), the Hatters trailed 1-0, then led 2-1 but went to a fifth set after Chicago State won the fourth 25-21.  Eva Deisa took over the final frame, collecting four kills, four blocks (two solos) and four digs to lead Stetson to the 15-11 win.

The Hatters set two school rally-scoring era records against the Cougars, picking up the most team digs (114) and the most individual digs (Deisa, 35) in a single match.

Against Bethune-Cookman (7-6), the Hatters rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits, staving off a 24-23 match point in the fourth set with a blistering kill by Hao Jin.

In the fifth set, Stetson watched a 10-3 lead disappear into 11-11 and 12-12 ties, but kills by Julie Varga and Deisa down the stretch helped the Hatters win 15-13.

Stetson improved to 4-1 in five-set matches this season, and the Hatters are 8-4 for the first time since 1996.

Jin and Brianna Schmid were named to the all-tournament team.

The Hatters will now look forward to the start of ASUN play as they host the Jacksonville Dolphins on Tuesday night, Sept. 18.

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