BELMONT, N.C. – The Converse University volleyball team defeated Belmont Abbey 3-1 on Wednesday night inside the Wheeler Center.
With the win the Valkyries improve to 12-4 overall and 6-1 in Conference Carolinas action this season. The road warriors continue to vanquish their foes as they improve to 7-1 in away matches this season. Converse is now off to their best start since the 2006 season. Meanwhile, Belmont Abbey drops to 6-11 overall and 4-4 in Conference Carolinas play this season.
Converse opened the match on a 4-1 run against the Crusaders, Belmont Abbey then countered with a 5-0 spurt of their own to take back the early advantage. The Crusaders then used an 8-1 run, taking a decisive advantage over the Valkyries. However, the Valkyries did not get rattled by the Crusaders pressure. A ferocious 11-1 run by the Valkyries offense had Converse back out in front at 16-14 over Belmont Abbey. Converse closed out the opening set on a 9-2 run to take the first stanza by a final score of 25-18.
In the second set, Belmont Abbey raced out to a 5-2 advantage before the Valkyries used a counter attack to even the match at five. Leading 13-12, Belmont Abbey used a 6-1 run to take all the momentum in the match. Once again, the Valkyries confidence never wavered as they started to chip away at the Crusaders massive lead. Trailing 24-19. Converse attempted one last rally in the period but a 4-0 run came up short as Belmont Abbey took the second frame 25-23.
In the third set, Belmont Abbey jumped out to an 11-5 advantage over Converse. A 6-2 run by the Valkyries offense proved to be pivotal as they trailed 13-12 midway through the period. Moments later, Converse trailed 21-18 late in the set, but once again rallied to steal the momentum away from the Crusaders. Converse closed out the third period on an 8-3 run and won the set by a final score of 26-24.
Belmont Abbey for the third set in a row jumped out to a 7-3 advantage over Converse. The Valkyries continued to be resilient and showed great poise during the fourth set. A timely 5-2 run had the Valkyries back on top 12-10. Late in the fourth set, the two squads were deadlocked at 17,
Alayah Robertson recorded back-to-back kills to jump start a 4-0 Valkyrie run. Converse finished the fourth set and the match on an 8-1 run, taking the final set by a final score of 25-16.
Converse finished with 67 points, 50 kills, 8 aces, 9 blocks, 46 assists, and 66 digs.
Noemia Chiacchio posted a double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs.
Megan Carpenter led the team with five blocks and finished second on the team with 10 kills.
Tori Barr finished third on the team with nine kills and three blocks.
Alysha Arroyo led the team with 20 assists and four aces, while
Jayden Johnson finished second on the team with 15 assists.
Mackenzie Day led the team with 22 digs and
Ariel Bryant finished second on the team with 15 digs against the Crusaders.
Next Up:
Converse will stay on the road this weekend with a trip to Erskine on Friday evening. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
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