SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University volleyball team defeated Francis Marion 3-2 (17-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-27, 15-11) in a thrilling five set match on Friday night inside the Weisiger Center.
 
Converse (7-16, 4-11 CC) snapped the longest losing streak in the conference on Friday evening and reached the seven-win total for the first time since the 2019 season. For Francis Marion (12-10, 7-6 CC) they have now lost two straight matches.
 
As a team the Valkyries recorded 68 points, 53 kills and hit .155 for the match. It's just the third time this season the Valkyries have recorded a minimum of 9 service aces in the match. The Valkyries 174 total attacks were the second most in a match this season.
 
Francis Marion somehow managed to out block the Valkyries 7-6 and recorded more assists (46) and digs (85).  
 
In the opening set the Patriots raced out to a 6-2 advantage before the Valkyries began to chip away at the lead. A service ace by Anna Rabon (Little River, S.C.) brought the Valkyries within a point at 14-13 but Converse was unable to capitalize on the momentum. Moments later Francis Marion used a 5-0 run to separate from Converse as they took the opening set 25-17.
 
During the second set the two teams went point-for-point with one another before Converse began to separate at the 12-7 mark of the period. The Valkyries took advantage of a lackadaisical performance by Francis Marion and ran away with the second stanza 25-15.
 
Once again, the Valkyries took advantage of a shocked Francis Marion squad and raced out to a 7-3 lead over the Patriots. Following a timeout, the Patriots responded with a quick run and the set was tied at seven. A few moments later the Valkyries Rabon and Jasmine Finkley (Blythewood, S.C.) jump started a 4-0 run that gave Converse breathing room late in the period. Up 21-17 the Valkyries closed out the third set on a 4-1 run to take a two-set lead heading into the fourth period of action.
 
The fourth set proved to be a battle between the two squads as it was tied at eight through the first 16 points of the frame. Then a 6-0 run by Converse gave the Valkyries the early momentum they needed to capitalize on once again. Holding a 21-14 advantage the Valkyries looked poised to end the match but Francis Marion went on a 9-2 run to tie the match at 23. Converse held match point twice but they failed to convert on both opportunities and gave Francis Marion the momentum heading into the fifth and final set.
 
In the final stanza of the night, Converse jumped out to a 6-4 advantage before Francis Marion used a 4-1 run to take back the lead. The Valkyries seemed unphased as they fed off the crowd inside the Weisiger Center as they ended the match on a 6-2 run.
 
Four Valkyries ended the night in double figure kills, Finkley, Evelyn Fitz (Columbia, S.C.) and Rabon all recorded 12 kills, while Megan Carpenter (Easley, S.C.) produced 10 kills. Fitz and Rabon also recorded a double-double in the match, as well as senior setter Savannah Ducote (Lexington, S.C.). Mackenzie Day (Columbia, S.C.) finished second on the team with 19 digs in the match and freshman setter Mackenzie Schmucker (Myaaka City, Fla.) finished second on the team with 14 assists in the match.
 
Next Up:
Converse will be back at home in the Weisiger Center this tomorrow afternoon against Erskine. Senior Day activities will start at 2:20 p.m. For more information on the Converse volleyball team, log onto govalkyries.com today.
 
Follow Converse
https://www.facebook.com/ConverseValkyries
Twitter: @Valkyries_Vball
Instagram: @valkyriesvball
Youtube.com/Converse Athletics
Signup for the Newsletter: https://govalkyries.com/subscribe.aspx