Mars Hill, N.C. – The Converse University volleyball team pulled off a reverse sweep on Tuesday evening, as they won the final three sets of the night to defeat Mars Hill 3-2 inside Chambers Gymnasium.
 
Converse improves to 4-1 overall this season and is off to their best start in more than a decade. Meanwhile, Mars Hill falls to 2-3 overall this year with the loss to Converse.
 
Set One

• Converse opened the match on a 7-1 run against the Lions and eventually held a 12-4 lead early in the first set.
• However, the Valkyries were unable to put the Lions away, who used a 9-2 run to roar back into the set.
• The Valkyries countered with a run of their own and eventually led 17-13 midway through the opening set.
• Late in the opening frame, Converse held a 23-20 advantage over the Lions. Mars Hill used a 6-1 run to close out the opening set over the Valkyries.
• Converse finished the opening set with 14 kills and a .095 hitting percentage against the Lions defense.

 
Set Two

• In the second set the two teams were deadlocked through the first 20 points of the period. Then Mars Hill used a 3-0 run to take the early lead against the Valkyries.
• For the remainder of the period, Converse trailed Mars Hill and was unable to tie the set past the 15-15 juncture.
• Mars Hill went on to win the second set 25-22, despite the Valkyries logging 11 kills in the process.

 
Set Three

• The two squads matched each other shot for shot in the third stanza, leading the two teams to be deadlocked through the first 14 points of the period.
• Mars Hill then used a 6-2 run to take an early 13-8 lead over the Valkyries. The Lions lead continued to grow as they eventually held a 17-13 advantage over Converse.
• The Valkyries rallied with four straight points and tied the pivotal third set once again.
• Later in the stanza the Valkyries trailed 23-20, but this time it was their turn to spoil the Lions chance of winning. Converse rallied to win the final five points of the set to keep the match alive.
• Converse finished the set with 15 total kills and a .153 hitting percentage against Mars Hill.

 
Set Four

• The fourth set was a period of runs between the two squads. Converse opened the set on a 10-4 run, before Mars Hill countered with a 7-0 run of their own.
• At one point the Valkyries trailed 17-13 and 22-17 in the fourth period of action. The offense came alive once again for the Valkyries late in the fourth set.
• Converse used a 5-0 run to tie the match at 22 against the Lions. A few moments later, Converse successful fended off a match point from the Mars Hill offense.
• The Valkyries used a 5-1 run late in the set to and forced their first fifth set match of the season.
• Converse finished the fourth period with 18 kills and a .108 hitting percentage against the Lions.

 
Set Five

• The two teams went point-for-point with one another in the fifth and final set. Through the first 18-points of the set the two squads were deadlocked at nine.
• A few moments later, Mars Hill used a 3-0 spurt to take a 13-12 lead over Converse. The Valkyries countered and won the final three points of the set to win the fifth set 15-13.

 
Match Stats:
Kills – Noemia Chiacchio (18), Ariel Bryant (14), Tori Barr (10)
Aces – Jayden Johnson (2), Noemia Chiacchio (2), Alayah Robertson (1)
Blocks – Tori Barr (6), Robertson (5), Chiacchio (3)
Assists – Alysha Arroyo (43), Mackenzie Day (9) Jayden Johnson (9)
Digs – Day (46), Ariel Bryant (30), and Noemia Chiacchio (20)
 
Team Stats: 82 points, 65 kills, 6 aces, 11 blocks, 65 assists, and 134 digs
 
Next Up:
Converse will travel to West Virginia this weekend to compete in the University of Charleston Tournament starting on Friday morning.  
 
Follow Converse
https://www.facebook.com/ConverseValkyries
Twitter: @Valkyries_vball
Instagram: @ValkyriesVball
Youtube.com/Converse Athletics