DUE WEST, S.C. – For the first time all season the Converse University volleyball team lost a five-set match when they fell to Erskine on Tuesday night in the Galloway Center.
 
With the loss the Valkyries drop to 7-15 overall, while the Flying Fleet improve to 4-19 on the year. Tonight's game between the two squads was considered a non-conference match, after Conference Carolinas split into three divisions this past summer. The conference match between these two squads will take place later in the season on the Converse campus.
 
The Valkyries came out a bit flat in the opening set as they fell quickly 25-9 to the Flying Fleet. The second set was a bit closer but still the Valkyries faltered with a 25-13 loss in the second stanza.
 
Like a giant sleeping from its slumber, the Valkyries offense awoke in the third set as they used a 20-2 run to take a commanding 20-6 lead. Converse closed out the third frame on a 5-1 run over Erskine.
 
In the fourth set, Erskine opened up the period on a 6-0 run but the Valkyries countered with a 7-0 run of their own to take back the early advantage. The two squads went back-and-forth the remainder of the set until the Flying Fleet held a slim 19-17 advantage late in the period. The Valkyries never faltered as they stayed composed and used a 6-0 run to take a commanding lead over Erskine at 23-19. Converse held on to force a fifth set against the Flying Fleet.
 
In the final set the two teams were deadlocked at seven through the first 14 points of the period. Erskine made the first move with a 3-0 spurt to take an 11-8 advantage. The Valkyries rallied and tied the match at 13 but lost the final two points of the set.
 
Reese Plont led the team with 11 kills, Megan Carpenter finished second with 10 kills and Ariel Bryant finished third with 6 kills. Madison Gregory posted a double-double with 18 assists and 13 digs, while Mackenzie Day led the team with 23 digs on the night.   
 
Next Up:
Converse will stay on the road this weekend with trips to Mount Olive and Newberry.  
 
 
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