SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University Athletic Department held their fourth annual Valkyries Choice Awards Show this past weekend and presented a total of 21 awards to student-athletes and staff members.
 
The volleyball team won team of the year following a historic season that culminated with a pair of championships and a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. The volleyball team finished with a program best 23-10 record, winning the Conference Carolinas Northwest Division Championship and the Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship. The volleyball team had one All-American, one All-Region selection, the Conference Carolinas Tournament MVP, three All-Tournament selections, three All-Conference Selections, and the Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year. Off the court the volleyball team had three CSC Academic All-District Team members, and they won the Fall 2024 Valkyries Academic Excellence Award.
 
Head volleyball coach Alexis Ivey was named Coach of the Year at the VCA's. Ivey guided the Valkyries to their first ever NCAA Tournament berth, Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship, and the Conference Carolinas Northwest Division Championship. Ivey guided the Valkyries to their best season in program history and is now one win away from tying the coaching career record at Converse. Statistically this season, the Valkyries ranked fourth nationally in team digs (2,360), sixth nationally in total attacks (4,811), 12^th nationally in service aces (253), 19^th nationally in digs per set (18.44), 23^rd nationally in team kills (1,590), and 25^th nationally in assists (1,467).  
 
The Baye Williamson Female Athlete of the Year Award went to Mackenzie Day. Day helped the Valkyries volleyball team to their first ever team championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Individually, Day was named an All-American and an All-Region performer by the D2CCA. The graduate student was also named the Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year, Conference Carolinas Tournament MVP, and a First Team All-Conference selection. Day played and started in 33 matches this season for a total of 128 sets as the starting libero. The Palmetto State native finished second in the nation in digs (748) and fifth in the nation in digs per set (5.84).  
 
The Baye Williamson Male Athlete of the Year Award went to Devron Davis. As a member of the Indoor Track & Field Team, Davis helped the Valkyries capture their first indoor team championship this past season. Individually, Davis finished third in the 200 meter dash at the Conference Carolinas Championship meet and helped the 4x400 relay team finish third in the Conference Carolinas Championship. During the outdoor track season, Davis is currently ranked first in both the Southeast Region and in Conference Carolinas for the 200 meter dash with a school record time of 20.81 seconds. His time in the 200 meter dash currently has him ranked ninth nationally in the event. Davis is also a member of the 4x100 relay team that is currently ranked first Nationally.  
 
Chloe Cleland brought home a plethora of awards this weekend. The senior acrobatics & tumbling athlete, was awarded the Weisiger Cup and was also named the Scholar Athlete of the Year. The Weisiger Cup is presented to a Converse graduating student-athlete each year who has a proven record of academic excellence, student leadership and service, and competitive intercollegiate athletics. Earlier this semester, Cleland was also a finalist for the prestigious Murphy Osborne Award given out by the Conference every year.
 
Nicholas Gartung received the inaugural Converse Cup, which is presented to a Converse graduating student-athlete each year who has a proven record of academic excellence, student leadership and service, and competitive intercollegiate athletics. Athletically, Gartung was the captain of the soccer team and helped the Valkyries to a Conference Carolinas Championship in 2022 and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances during his career. Academically, Gartung was a Tri-Beta Honors Society Officer, and appeared on the Dean's List, Conference Carolinas Presidential honor roll and the Academic All-Conference team numerous times during his career.   
 
The Male Newcomer of the Year award went to Zephaniah Cox of the men's track & field team. Cox helped the men's track & field team to their first Indoor Conference Carolinas Championship this past winter. During the indoor season, Cox won the 60 meter dash event to claim an individual title and an All-Conference selection. The Palmetto State native is also part of the 4x100 relay team that ranks first nationally in Division II.  
 
The Female Newcomer of the Year award went to Noemia Chiacchio of the volleyball team. A second team All-Conference selection that helped the Valkyries to their first ever championship and NCAA Tournament berth. Chiacchio played and started in 31 matches this season for a total of 120 sets. Recorded 447.5 points, 3.73 points per set, 366 kills, 3.05 kills per set, 23 assists, 64 aces, 338 digs, and 32 total blocks. Chiacchio finished the season with 14 double-doubles. Her 64 service aces ranked eighth nationally and first in the conference. Her 366 kills are the fifth most in a single season, and her 447.5 points are also the fifth most in a single season.  
 
Henry Stockton was named the male freshman of the year following a stellar campaign in the pool this season. Stockton was named Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year and helped the men's swim team to a third place finish at the Conference Carolinas Championship meet. Individually, Stockton won the 1650 free championship, the 200 free championship and finished runner-up in the 500 free event. As a member of the 200 free relay team, Stockton helped the relay team break the school record and win the conference championship. Stockton also helped the 400 relay team to a second place finish and the 400 medley relay team to a third place finish.
 
Amparo Figueroa was named the female freshman of the year following a great individual season on the field hockey team. Figueroa played in 17 games this season and 15 starts during her freshman campaign. The freshman tallied 893 minutes of game time, recorded seven goals, four assists, 18 points, 38 total shots, and 24 shots on goal. Figueroa was named to the 2024 SAC All-Conference First Team, and to the National All-Rookie Team by Synapse.com.
 
Full List of Award Winners
Team of the Year – Volleyball
Coach of the Year – Alexis Ivey (Volleyball)
Weisiger Cup – Chloe Cleland (Acrobatics & Tumbling)
Converse Cup – Nicholas Gartung (Men's Soccer)
Baye Williamson Male Athlete of the Year – Devron Davis (Men's Track & Field)
Baye Williamson Female Athlete of the Year – Mackenzie Day (Volleyball)
Male Newcomer of the Year – Zephaniah Cox (Men's Track & Field)
Female Newcomer of the Year – Noemia Chiacchio (Volleyball)
Male Freshman of the Year – Henry Stockton (Men's Swimming)
Female Freshman of the Year – Amparo Figueroa (Field Hockey)
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year – Johannes Haden (Men's Soccer)
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year – Chloe Cleland (Women's Soccer)
Nancy Ellis Knox Scholar Athlete of the Year (Equestrian) – Olivia Liopiros
Game of the Year – Men's Track & Field Conference Carolinas Indoor Championships
Valkyrie Cup – Softball
Male Breakout Athlete of the Year – Nick Tibolla (Men's Track & Field)
Female Breakout Athlete of the Year – Khushi Kharb (Women's Tennis)
Male Sports Medicine All-Star – Gabriel Verona (Men's Soccer)
Female Sports Medicine All-Star – Madison Free (Women's Soccer)
Male Iron Valkyrie – Edo Buffo (Men's Basketball)
Female Iron Valkyrie – Jaydin Gentile (Softball)
 
2024-25 All-Converse Athletic Team
Chloe Cleland (Acrobatics & Tumbling)
Jay Mitchell (Men's Basketball)
Elisa Sole Sanchez (Women's Basketball)
Luis Rios Brena (Men's Cross Country)
Ruth Spijker (Women's Cross Country)
AJ Robinson (esports)
Olivia Liopiros (Equestrian)
Catalina Pistaccio (Field Hockey)
Lizzie Madden (Golf)
Hailey Obenchain (Lacrosse)
Gabriel Verona (Men's Soccer)
Jasmine Hernandez (Women's Soccer)
Riley Lingerfelt (Softball)
Emmalee Nutter (Spirit Squad)
Henry Stockton (Men's Swimming)
Milly Byrne (Women's Swimming)
Manuel Roncero (Men's Tennis)
Khushi Kharb (Women's Tennis)
Devron Davis (Men's Track & Field)
Eseose Okoduwa (Women's Track & Field)
Mackenzie Day (Volleyball)
 
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