SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University volleyball team defeated Chowan 3-2 on Friday evening inside the Weisiger Center, as they celebrated their annual Dig Pink Night against the Hawks.
With the win Converse has now won three straight matches for the second time this season and improves to 6-12 overall and 5-4 in Conference Carolinas action. Chowan drops to 4-16 overall and 3-7 in Conference Carolinas play this season.
Tori Barr recorded the opening kill for the Valkyries but it was Chowan that took an 11-3 lead early in the first set. Following a timeout by the Valkyries coaching staff, Converse went on an 8-1 run and cut the Hawks lead down to a single point at 12-11. Following a Hawks timeout, Chowan used a 4-0 spurt to regain their composure and a 16-11 advantage.
Converse stayed within striking distance of the Hawks at 20-16 and used quick point bursts to maintain the pressure on Chowan.
Evelyn Fitz recorded a kill late in the first set to pull the Valkyries back within a point at 24-23. Unfortunately, Chowan won the final point of the set to take the opening period 25-23.
Through the first 14 points of the second set, the two teams remained deadlocked with one another tied at seven. Chowan made the first move once again in the second set as they pushed ahead for an 11-7 lead over the Valkyries. Converse hung around and chipped away at the Hawks second set advantage. Trailing 16-13, the Valkyries made their move with a 5-0 run and forced Chowan to call a timeout down 18-16. From that point forward the Valkyries never relinquished their lead in the second set and took the period 25-21 over Chowan.
Similar to the second set, the third period was knotted at seven through the first 14 points of the stanza. Chowan once again proved to be the early aggressor as they used a 4-0 run to take an 11-8 lead over the Valkyries. Moments later the Valkyries trailed 15-10 against the Hawks and were forced to use a timeout to slow the momentum.
Out of the timeout break, the Valkyries used a 4-1 spurt to pull back within a pair of points at 16-14 against the Hawks. Converse kept up the pressure on the Chowan defense, a timely 3-0 run for the Valkyries tied the set at 19. Moments later, the Valkyries fended off not one but two set point opportunities against the Hawks. Feeding off the energy from the crowd, Converse won the final three points of the set and took the third period 27-25.
In the fourth set, the Valkyries held early leads of 8-4 and 11-6 against Chowan. Following a Hawks timeout, Chowan used a 7-2 run to tie the set at 13 against the Valkyries. Once again, the Valkyries would push forward and take a three-point advantage before Chowan countered with a run of their own. Converse held a 22-20 advantage late in the fourth set, Chowan closed out the period on a 5-1 run to take the fourth set 25-23.
In the fifth and final set of the night the Valkyries volleyball team was clicking on all cylinders both offensively and defensively. Converse opened up the fifth set on a 6-0 run and moments later held an 11-1 lead over the Hawks. Holding a 14-2 lead against Chowan, the Valkyries allowed the Hawks to score a trio of points before
Tia Gripado registered the final kill of the night.
Converse won the team statistical categories in total points (81), kills (61), aces (10) and blocks (10). The two teams tied with 54 assists each, while Chowan finished with four more digs than the Valkyries with 89.
Freshman
Ariel Bryant had a career night with a 20-kill performance against the Hawks. Gripado finished second on the team with 16-kills and Fitz finished third with 9-kills. Gripado registered a double-double with 16 digs on the night.
Mackenzie Day led the team with 25 digs,
MacKenzie Schmucker finished with a team best 34 assists and
Madison Gregory finished second on the team with 15 assists. Barr led the team with 6 total blocks, followed by Fitz and
Alayah Robertson who each had four blocks in the match.
Next Up:
Converse will be back at home tomorrow afternoon against Barton. First serve is set for a 2:00 p.m. start time inside the Weisiger Center.
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