STATESBORO – Elena Djokovic led Stetson with 10 kills, and the Hatters committed just three hitting errors in the match as they opened the season with a 3-0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-9) volleyball win over Georgia Southern in the Bash in the Boro Friday night in Hanner Fieldhouse.

Eagles of the Match 
Emily Jarome, a fifth-year transfer from Towson, appeared in her 100th collegiate match in her Eagle debut and led Georgia Southern with 18 kills to go along with 10 digs and a block. Ashlyn Lovett led the Eagles with 16 digs. 

Key Moments
The Eagles came back from a five-point deficit in the first set and tied the score 20-20 on a Jarome kill. The set was tied 24-24 when Djokovic put down a ball, and the Eagles followed that by committing a hitting error as Stetson went ahead 1-0 in the match. 

The Hatters used the momentum to jump out to a 3-0 lead in the second set and never trailed. A Jarome kill got the Eagles to within two points at 21-19, but Stetson answered with a kill by Leilani Vitale and an ace from Alexis Thompson. Jarome put down a ball for GS, but Vitale put the set away with a solo block followed by a kill.

Stats of the Match
The Eagles had 25 more hitting errors (28) than Stetson (3). The Hatters hit .270 for the match, while GS hit .081 and Stetson outblocked the Eagles 9-1.

Quotables from Coach Chad Willis
"First, hats off to Stetson, who played a really clean match. Unforced errors were the story on our side, and it never really let us settle into a rhythm. We had our moments, but overall, it felt like we were pressing at times and struggled to establish our tempo and priorities. It's a tough way to open up but lots to take away and use as we move forward."

Next Up
The Eagles play two matches in the Bash in the Boro Saturday. GS will take on Alcorn State at 12:30 p.m. before capping the tournament by hosting USC Upstate at 6:30 p.m.