SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University volleyball team picked up the season sweep of North Greenville on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Trailblazers 3-1 inside a packed out Weisiger Center.
With the win, Converse improves to 16-9 overall and 13-3 in Conference Carolinas action. The Valkyries are now 8-1 at home this season and they have won the last six games in the series against North Greenville. Meanwhile, the Trailblazers drop to 13-13 overall and 9-8 in Conference Carolinas play.
The Trailblazers came out ready to play spoiler on Senior Day for Converse. North Greenville jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first set against the Valkyries. A timeout by Converse helped settle the team down as they countered with an 8-2 run to tie the opening set at 12. The two teams then went back-and-forth throughout the set, but late in the period, North Greenville held a 21-18 advantage over Converse. The Trailblazers went on to win the first set 25-20 over the Valkyries.
In the second set, North Greenville jumped out to a 6-0 lead over the Valkyries and forced Converse to use an early timeout. The timeout proved to be pivotal as Converse rallied with an 8-1 run against the Trailblazers. It was then North Greenville's turn to use a timeout to slow the Valkyries offense. The two teams went back-and-forth and were tied at 15 midway through the period. Converse made the second move and built a small 18-15 lead over the Trailblazers. North Greenville once again rallied and tied the second set at 19 and the team remained tied even as late as 23-23.
Ariel Bryant recorded the last two kills of the set to tie the match at one set each.
In the third set, Converse was the aggressor early in the period as they built a 10-5 lead over the Trailblazers. The Valkyries eventually held an 18-10 advantage over North Greenville. However, the Trailblazers did not go down with out a fight as they rallied with 5-1 run to pull within striking distance of the Valkyries. Converse held strong and won the third set by a final score 25-17.
In the fourth set the teams once again found themselves deadlocked at 14. Converse made the first move and built an 18-14 advantage and forced North Greenville to call a timeout. The Trailblazers made a late push, but the Valkyries held on as they won the fourth set 25-22.
Converse finished with 76 points, 56 kills, 7 aces, 13 blocks, 47 assists and 76 digs.
Ariel Bryant led the team with a 14 kill and 17 dig double-double on the afternoon.
Alayah Robertson finished second on the team with 10 kills and
Samiya Bolton finished third on the team with eight kills.
Landon Garbade led the team with three service aces, while both Robertson and
Alysha Arroyo tied for the team lead with seven blocks each. Arroyo led the team with 40 assists on the afternoon, while
Scarlett Xiong led the team with 23 digs. Garbade finished third on the team with 12 digs in the win for the Valkyries.
Next Up:
Converse will stay at home this week with a midweek matchup against Southern Wesleyan on Tuesday evening. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside the Weisiger Center.
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