The Matchup
Friday First Round:
#8 Converse (23-9) at #1 Wingate (28-2)
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Wingate, N.C. | Cuddy Arena
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The Series:
This will be the third all-time meeting between Converse and Wingate dating back to the 2018 season. The Bulldogs are 2-0 all-time against the Valkyries, however, both wins game at neutral site locations.
 
Converse Notes:

• Converse is 23-9 overall this season and is currently riding a four game winning streak as they cruised to the Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship against UNC Pembroke.
• On their way to their first Conference crown, the Valkyries defeated Barton, North Greenville, Emmanuel, and UNC Pembroke. Converse picked up sweeps against Barton, North Greenville, and UNC Pembroke during their historic tournament run.
• This is the first time in program history the Valkyries have won 23 games in a season. Mackenzie Day earned Conference Carolinas Tournament MVP honors, while Alysha Arroyo and Ariel Bryant earned Conference Carolinas All-Tournament team honors.
• Day has hauled in a plethora of accolades this season, the graduate student, was just named to the D2CCA All-Region First Team, Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year, and a First team All-Conference selection.
• Day currently ranks second nationally in total digs (721) and ranks fifth nationally in digs per set (5.81). The graduate student also broke the school record for digs in a game (42) and digs in a career with 1,973.
• As a team the Valkyries rank second nationally in digs (2,280), rank seventh nationally in total attacks (4,638), rank 14^th nationally in service aces (248), 15^th nationally in team kills (1,548), 18^th nationally in team assists (1,427), and 20^th nationally in digs per set (18.39).
• Second Team All-Conference selection Noemia Chiacchio leads the team this season with 353 kills. The native of Brazil, not only leads the team in service aces but is currently ranked eighth nationally with 64 aces on the year. Chiacchio also ranks 21^st nationally in aces per set (0.55).
• Third Team All-Conference selection Ariel Bryant finished second on the team with 310 kills and 442 digs. The sophomore also finished third on the team with 45 aces and fifth on the team in blocks with 30.
• Alysha Arroyo led the team with 750 assists this year and finished second on the team with 51 service aces. Jayden Johnson had a great freshman season for the Valkyries, finishing second on the team with 442 assists.
• Tori Barr led the team with 98 blocks on the season and Alayah Robertson finished second on the team with 87 blocks. Barr finished fourth on the team with 188 kills and Robertson finished fifth with 181 kills. Megan Carpenter finished third on the team with 249 kills and 41 total blocks.

 
Wingate Notes:

• Wingate is 28-2 overall this season and is currently riding a 20 game winning streak dating back to September 24^th.
• The Bulldogs are 11-0 at home this season and 9-0 at neutral site location. Wingate has not dropped a set since November 1^st contest against Anderson. The Bulldogs have dropped just six sets since the start of October.
• Wingate won both the South Atlantic Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships.
• The Bulldogs are averaging 14.8 kills per set, 13.9 assists per set, 1.9 service aces per set, 18.3 digs per set, and 1.9 blocks per set.
• Sydney Morland leads the team with 276 kills this season, Emily Johnson is second on the team with 246 kills, and Gabby Saye is third on the team with 245 kills.
• Maya Van Heyst leads the team with 721 assists and 36 service aces, while Katie Jamerson finished second on the team with 501 assists.
• Maddie Hoffman leads the team with 531 digs, Van Heyst is second on the team with 319, and Elsa Lamphere is third on the team with 270 digs. Johnson leads the team with 83 blocks on the season, while Morland is right behind with 82 blocks.

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