BELMONT, N.C. – The Converse University volleyball team fell to Belmont Abbey 3-1 inside the Wheeler Center on Wednesday evening.
 
With the loss the Valkyries drop to 19-7 overall and 14-4 in Conference Carolinas action. Meanwhile, Belmont Abbey improves to 11-14 overall and 7-11 in Conference Carolinas play. The loss for Converse also snaps a six game winning streak dating back to October 22^nd.
 
Converse opened the game on a 7-0 run against the Crusaders and forced Belmont Abbey to use an early timeout. The Valkyries eventually built a 13-6 advantage over Belmont Abbey, before the Crusaders used a 5-0 run to pull within a pair of the Valkyries. A few moments later the Valkyries used a 4-0 spurt to take a 20-13 lead over Belmont Abbey. Converse rounded out the opening set on a 5-1 run and won the first set by a final scored of 25-15.
 
In the second set, Belmont Abbey jumped out to a 7-3 advantage over Converse. The Valkyries eventually fought back and tied the set at 11. The Crusaders then used a 5-1 offensive spurt to take back a 16-12 lead against Converse. Down the stretch, Converse came close on a few different occasions but Belmont Abbey won the second period 25-22.
 
The third set was tied through the first 22 points of the period, then a 6-0 spurt by the Crusaders a few moments later put Belmont Abbey out in front 17-13. The Valkyries fought back and tied the set at both 20 and 21 all. The Crusaders held off the Valkyries late attacks and stole the third set 25-23.
 
In the fourth set, Belmont Abbey raced out to a 6-1 lead over the Valkyries. The Crusaders continued to add onto their lead and eventually held an 18-12 advantage over Converse. The Valkyries came storming back and chipped away at the Crusaders lead, trailing 23-22 late in the period. Time ran out on the Valkyries comeback as Belmont Abbey won the final two points of the set to secure the match.
 
Converse finished 51 points, 39 kills, 4 aces, 8 blocks, 38 assists and 12 digs in the match. Bree Lyons led the team with 11 kills, Ariel Bryant finished second on the team with nine kills and Alayah Robertson contributed eight kills in the loss.
 
Robertson led the team with seven blocks on the evening, while Alysha Arroyo had a team best 37 assists against the Crusaders. Noemia Chiacchio led the team with 21 digs on the evening and Landon Garbade contributed 14 digs.  
 
Next Up:
Converse will stay on the road and travel to Shorter on Saturday afternoon.
 
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