SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University volleyball team fell 3-2 to Mount Olive on Friday evening inside the Weisiger Center.
With the loss, Converse falls to 18-7 overall and 12-3 in Conference Carolinas action. Meanwhile, Mount Olive improves to 19-7 overall and 15-2 in Conference Carolinas play.
Converse started the match on a 6-3 run against the Trojans, and eventually extended their advantage to 13-7 over Mount Olive. An 8-2 run by Mount Olive tied the opening set at 15. The Trojans ended the opening set on a 10-3 run and outscored the Valkyries 25-18 in the first period.
Mount Olive began the second stanza on a 7-1 run and moments later held a 10-3 advantage over the Valkyries. Converse continued to play close in the period, but ran out of time as Mount Olive won the second set 25-18.
The extended intermission between the second and third set proved to be pivotal for the Valkyries in the third period. The two squads battled to a stalemate early in the set, but Converse held a 9-7 early in the period. The Valkyries eventually built their lead to a 14-9 advantage over Mount Olive. Converse continued to pressure on Mount Olive and won the third set 25-19.
During the fourth set, the two teams were knotted at five in the early moments of the period. Then Mount Olive made the first move and held a 13-7 advantage over Converse. The Valkyries countered with a 7-0 and the set was tied once more at 14. Converse then went on a 7-2 run and held a 21-18 advantage over Mount Olive. Then it was the Trojans turn to counter as they reeled off five consecutive points to take back a 23-21 lead. Converse won three straight points and held a 24-23 advantage over Mount Olive, but the Trojans countered by winning the next two points. The Valkyries continued to stay alive in the fourth set and won the final three points of the period to force a fifth set.
The fifth set was competitive between the two squads and the period was tied through the first 10 points. The set was still knotted when the two sides switched at the eight point mark of the period, then Mount Olive won five of the next six points against the Valkyries. A timely timeout by the Valkyries proved to be pivotal as Converse won the next three points, and trailed 13-12. The Valkyries late rally came up short as they dropped the final set 15-13.
Converse finished with 78 points, 59 kills, 9 aces, 10 blocks, 55 assists, and 111 digs.
Ariel Bryant led the team with 15 kills and finished second on the team with 23 digs.
Noemia Chiacchio finished second on the team with 14 kills, finished third on the team in blocks (3) and digs (16), and led the team with four service aces.
AC Garbade finished third on the team with 12 kills, while
Alayah Robertson posted a team best six blocks in the loss.
Alysha Arroyo led the team with 33 assists, Jaydne Johnson finished second on the team with 13 assists.
Mackenzie Day led the team with 36 digs and
Tori Barr finished second on the team with four total blocks in the match.
Next Up:
The Converse volleyball team will be back in action tomorrow afternoon against Emmanuel. The match is set to start at 2:00 p.m. and Senior Day festivities will start a few minutes before opening serve.
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