ROME, Ga. – The Converse University volleyball team defeated Shorter 3-2 on Friday night in the Winthrop-King Centre on the campus of Shorter University.
With the victory, Converse improves to 18-5 overall and 12-2 in Conference Carolinas action. The Valkyries are now on a four-match winning streak dating back to last Saturday's match against Belmont Abbey. Converse is also 9-2 on the road this season, it's their best mark in road games since joining Conference Carolinas in 2008. Meanwhile, Shorter falls to 11-12 overall and 6-7 in Conference Carolinas play.
In the opening set the Valkyries fell behind 7-2 against Shorter, it was one of the few times this season the Valkyries did not lead after the first 10 points of the opening set in a while. The Valkyries deficit eventually reached 13-4, before the Converse offense began to counter with a 5-0 run. Converse was never able to catch back up in the period and fell 25-17.
Following a rare first set loss, the Valkyries came back out focused in the second set. Converse opened up the period on a 7-4 run against the Hawks. The Valkyries continued to apply pressure and eventually held a 17-10 advantage over Shorter midway through the period. However, the Hawks did not give up, trailing 19-13, used a 7-1 run to tie the set at 20. The two sides battled it out down the stretch for the final two points, but a pair kills by
AC Garbade and
Megan Carpenter sealed the set victory for Converse.
In the third set the two teams were tied through the first 10 points of the set. The Hawks then used a 10-1 run to take a decisive 15-6 lead over the Valkyries. Converse attempted a late rally, but fell 25-14 in the third period.
In the fourth set, the Valkyries held an early 12-7 advantage over the Hawks. A quick 3-0 spurt had Shorter within striking distance down 12-10. A few points later, the two squads were deadlocked at 17, then Converse used a 5-0 spurt to take a 22-17 lead over the Hawks. Converse went on to win the fourth set 25-21 and forced a fifth set against Shorter.
The Valkyries came out focused and prepared in the final set, as they raced out to a 9-2 advantage over Shorter. A late rally by the Hawks did not matter, as the Valkyries ended the match on a 5-2 run.
Converse finished with 59 points, 48 kills, 2 aces, 9 blocks, 46 assists, and 78 digs.
Megan Carpenter led the team with 16 kills and 6 blocked shots in the match.
Alayah Robertson finished second on the team with 8 kills and
Ariel Bryant finished third on the team with 7 kills.
Tori Barr finished second on the team with five blocked shots.
Alysha Arroyo led the team with 20 assists and
Jayden Johnson finished second on the team with 16 assists.
Mackenzie Day led the team with 22 digs, Bryant finished with 11 digs and
Jayden Johnson added 10 digs in the win.
Next Up:
The Converse volleyball team will be back in action on Wednesday night in the Weisiger Center. First serve against Lander is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
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