DUE WEST, S.C. – The Converse University volleyball team snuck out a 3-2 win over Erskine on Friday night inside the Galloway Center.
With the win the Valkyries defeat Erskine for the second time this season, improving to 13-4 overall and 7-1 in Conference Carolinas action. The Valkyries are currently on a four match winning streak, tying their longest of the season so far. Converse is also off to their best road start in over 15 years with an 8-1 record in away matches. Meanwhile, Erskine falls to 5-13 overall and 2-7 in Conference Carolinas play.
In the opening set the two teams were deadlocked at nine, before Converse used a 7-0 run to take a decisive lead over the Flying Fleet. The Valkyries cruised to an easy first set victory, defeating Erskine 25-16 in the opening frame. Converse tallied 18 kills and hit .405 in the first set against the Flying Fleet.
During the second set the two squads were deadlocked at seven in the early moments of frame. Converse, once again took the early momentum with a 5-0 run and kept the pressure on Erskine throughout the set. Then midway through the momentum began to shift to the Flying Fleet, Erskine used a 7-2 run to tie the match at 17. The two teams went back and forth the rest of the set, but it was the Flying Fleet that came away with a 25-23 set win.
In the third set the two teams were once again clawing for each point in the opening moments. Converse held a 9-7 lead early and then disaster struck for the Valkyries. Erskine rattled off 14 straight points and went on to win the period 25-13.
In the fourth set, the Valkyries came out focused and used a 6-0 spurt midway through the period to take a 12-7 advantage. Converse kept up the pressure and eventually held a 17-11 lead over Erskine. Converse ended the set on a 7-1 run and won the fourth set by a final score of 25-15.
In the fifth set, the Valkyries took an early 9-5 advantage over the Flying Fleet. A timely timeout by Erskine helped the Flying Fleet go on a 6-0 run against the Valkyries defense. Converse buckled down and won the next three points to take a 13-12 lead over Erskine. Moments later, Erskine held match point at 14-13, but the Valkyries thwarted the Flying Fleets attempt with back-to-back
Ariel Bryant kills.
A pair of Becca Yohe kills once again had the Flying Fleet sitting at match point up 16-15. The Valkyries rallied back and held a 17-16 advantage late in the period. After yet another kill by Yohe,
Alayah Robertson gave the Valkyries the lead for good at 18-17. Bryant ended the match with a service ace to give the Valkyries their 13
th victory of the season.
Converse finished with 76 points, 60 kills, 8 aces, 8 blocks, 54 assists and 79 digs. Bryant and
Noemia Chiacchio both finished with a pair of double-doubles and led the team with 14 kills each. Robertson finished third on the team with nine kills in the match. Robertson and
Tori Barr both finished with a team best four blocks in the match.
Alysha Arroyo led the team with 27 assists,
Jayden Johnson finished second on the team with 16 assists, and
Mackenzie Day led the team with 20 digs. Bryant finished second on the team with 17 digs and Chiacchio added 12 digs in the win for the Valkyries.
Next Up:
The Converse volleyball team will return home to face Lees-McRae on Wednesday evening. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. inside of the Weisiger Center.
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