The Matchup
Friday:
Converse (0-0) vs Edinboro (0-0), 9:00 a.m.
Converse (0-0) vs Auburn University Montgomery (0-0), 3:00 p.m.
Converse (0-0) at Tusculum (0-0), 7:00 p.m.
 
Location: Greeneville, Tenn.
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The Tournament:
This will be the 14^th consecutive season the Converse University volleyball team will be traveling to start the year. The Pioneer Classic will be the first of two tournaments for the Valkyries season. This weekend the Valkyries will battle against Edinboro, Auburn University Montgomery and Tusculum.
 
Converse Notes:

• The Converse Volleyball team is coming off an historic season, which saw the team win both the Conference Carolinas Tournament and Northwest Division Championships.
• The Valkyries advanced to their first NCAA Tournament last season and took the first set off top-ranked Wingate in the Southeast Regional.
• Last season, the Valkyries finished with an overall record of 23-10 and 13-5 in Conference Carolinas action.
• The Valkyries will be looking to replace starting libero Mackenzie Day following her graduation back in the Spring. Day was the programs first All-American in the NCAA era and was named Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year and Tournament MVP a season ago. Day also leaves Converse as the All-Time leader in Digs with exactly 2,000 digs in her career.
• Ariel Bryant, Megan Carpenter and Noemia Chiacchio were all named Players to Watch by the Conference Carolinas office early this fall. Both Bryant and Chiacchio were All-Conference selections from a season ago, while Carpenter will look to build off a breakout junior season.
• Five total starters return from last season's championship team, along with 11 total letterwinners. Seven newcomers have made their way to the Hub City and will look to make an impact for the Valkyries this season.
• This will be the Valkyries first ever meeting with both Edinboro and Auburn University Montgomery. Converse is 0-3 all-time against Tusculum, with their last meeting coming during the 2013 season.

 
Edinboro Notes:

• Edinboro went 14-13 overall last season and 5-9 in PSAC action. The Scots were picked to finish sixth in the PSAC West preseason poll released earlier this fall.
• The Scots return Second-Team All-PSAC West outside hitter Makayla Neelands. She posted a team-best 389 kills to go with 34 service aces and 27 assists.
• Edinboro also returns half of their setter tandem from a season ago in Laney Burns. She notched 298 assists and 152 digs for the Scots last season.
• Every opponent the Scots face this weekend will be the programs first meeting.  

 
Auburn University Montgomery Notes:

• Auburn University Montgomery went 10-19 overall last season and 7-13 in the Gulf South Conference.
• The Warhawks were picked to finish ninth in the Gulf South Preseason Poll, finishing ahead of West Alabama and Christian Brothers.
• Kiara Vega, Anyaliz Rodriguez and Addi Vinson were all named to the Preseason Watchlist.
• Vega is a transfer from St. Leo University where she recorded 1,928 career assists and 619 career digs. Rodriguez is also from St. Leo and brings 910 kills with her to AUM. Vinson is the reigning Alabama 6A Player of the Year and will be looking to make an immediate impact for the Warhawks.
• This week the Warhawks will be facing all three of their opponents for the first time in program history.  

 
Tusculum Notes:

• Tusculum went 13-14 overall last season and 11-7 in the South Atlantic Conference. The Pioneers made it all the way to the SAC Quarterfinals a season ago before being swept by Lenoir-Rhyne.
• The Pioneers were picked to finish seventh in the preseason SAC Poll, just ahead of UVA Wise and Newberry.
• Addison McLarty, Jaida Alvin, and Breana Pelbath were all named to the SAC Players to Watch list.
• McLarty is coming off a SAC All-Freshman team campaign where she led the team with 265 kills a season ago. Alvin is a West Alabama transfer that prings with her 428 kills and 406 digs across two different seasons.

 
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