BRISTOL, TENN. – For the first time in program history the Converse University volleyball team has won 10 straight matches after they defeated King 3-1 on Friday night inside the Student Center Complex.
With the win the Valkyries are now 11-6 overall and 9-0 in Conference Carolinas action. The Valkyries are also a perfect 3-0 in Northwest Division play for the second straight season. With the loss King drops to 8-8 overall and 3-6 in Conference Carolinas play this season. The Tornado are now 0-5 in Northwest Division action.
In the opening set, Converse jumped out to a 6-2 lead over the Tornado. The Valkyries eventually built a 15-6 advantage over King in the first set. King won six straight points and closed the gap to three with the Valkyries leading 15-12 midway through the period. Converse held off a pair of late runs by the Tornado and won the first set 25-21.
The Valkyries jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the second period over King. A few moments later and Converse had built a 14-6 advantage over the Tornado. Once again, King rallied and pulled within four points of Converse at 14-10 midway through the period. The Valkyries countered with a run of their own and rebuilt an 18-11 advantage over King. For the second straight stanza the Valkyries had to withstand a late run by King, but Converse held on to win the second set 25-20.
In the third set the Valkyries faced an uphill battle as they stared at an 8-3 deficit to King. A key timeout helped the Valkyries rally and pull within a pair of points at 15-13. Converse continued to fight but ran out of time as they lost the third set 25-19.
In the fourth period the two teams were deadlocked through the first 22 points of the set. Converse made the first move of the set and built a small 16-12 advantage over the Tornado. Clinging to a one point lead late in the period at 19-18 the Valkyries closed out the set on a 6-1 run to take the set and the match.
Converse finished with 66 points, 53 kills, 6 aces, 7 blocks, 50 assists and 75 digs.
Ella Ruckman reset her career high with 20 kills tonight against the Tornado.
Bree Lyons posted a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs.
Ariel Bryant finished third on the team with eight kills.
Scarlett Xiong led the team with three service aces and 25 digs against King.
Alayah Robertson finished with a team high five blocks and finished third on the team with eight digs.
Emma Blackstar finished second on the team with 10 assists against the Tornado.
Next Up:
Converse will be back on the road tomorrow afternoon when the play Lees-McRae at 1:00 p.m.
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