Sept. 19, 2006

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Stetson University and Bethune-Cookman College went back-and-forth all night in a thrilling volleyball match before the Hatters finally secured victory in a fifth and deciding game on Tuesday night, 3-2, inside Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Up 3-1 going into game number four, Bethune-Cookman (3-3) was unable to close-out their cross-county rivals in a "Battle of Volusia County" on the hardwood. The Wildcats were plagued with errors in the fourth game and allowed too much Stetson power in the fifth.

Stetson (2-5) used the hitting services of Rebecca Orzechowicz and the play-making ability of Karla Readshaw to fight for the come-from-behind win on the night.

Stetson fell behind in the first game allowing B-CC to secure a 30-27 win in a game that would certainly set the tone on the night. Terra Wagner and freshman Kumiko Chow hooked up numerous times for big points in the first game, as well as all night long.

Stetson battled back in the second game for a 30-23 win in a game that saw them out by as many as 10 points (20-10) midway through. The Hatters' Sarah Sears was a key component in the second game win, as well as the defense of Readshaw and Orzechowicz.

B-CC was determined to get back on the right foot in the third game as the Wildcats pounded out a 30-21 win behind the services of Wagner and Danielle Goodrum. Goodrum knocked in five of her 14 kills on the night in the third game. She also was responsible for five of the `Cats 15 kills in the game.

But the Hatters of Stetson rallied around Orzechowicz and Julie Fleming down the stretch in the fourth game (30-17) and, finally, Beth Slabaugh--who was dominant with key points all night long for the Hatters, in the fifth game (15-12). The Wildcats managed to tie the game at 10-10 with a kill from Chelle Ticeson, as well as a block assist from Tabatha Williams and Vonetta Simpson. But too much power from the Hatters was all that was needed for the win.

The Hatters were led on the night by Orzechowicz with 19 kills and 16 digs. Following her up in double-digits for kills were Sears (17), Slabaugh (15) and Fleming (11). Readshaw led all players with a match-high 58 assists, while Liz Gorski was the high-man in digs with 30 on the night.

The `Cats were led by three players in double-digits for kills with Wagner (22) leading the charge. Following her up were Goodrum (14) and Williams (12). Chow led the `Cats with 52 assists, while Ariane Guy led B-CC defensively with 21 digs. Wagner also collected a double-double with 20 digs, as well as Goodrum with 17 digs.

Bethune-Cookman will look to stop their three-match losing streak next week when they travel to the University of North Florida on Sept. 29 for a rematch with the Ospreys. B-CC fell to UNF last Tuesday (Sept. 12) in a tough match 3-1 in Daytona Beach. Next week's match will take place in Jacksonville.