WILSON, N.C. – The Converse University volleyball team defeated Barton 3-1 on Saturday afternoon inside the Wilson Gym.
Converse has now won eight straight games, improving to 19-9 overall this season and 16-3 in Conference Carolinas action. Meanwhile, Barton drops to 6-20 overall and 4-15 in Conference Carolinas play.
The Valkyries fell behind 7-2 in the opening frame against the Bulldogs, however, it was short lived as they stormed back with an 8-2 run of their own to steal the lead back. Converse eventually built a 16-12 lead and never looked back as they cruised to a 25-18 first set victory.
In the second set the Valkyries once again found themselves down 11-7. Converse fought back and tied the score on four different occasions in the second frame. Tied at 21 late in the period the Valkyries finished the second set on a 4-1 run, going up 2-0 in the match.
Converse got off to a slow start in the third period as they fell behind 5-0 early. The Valkyries countered with a 9-1 run against the Bulldogs. Barton then went on a 7-0 run and held a 15-11 lead midway through the third stanza. Converse rallied late but it was not enough as the Bulldogs won the third set 25-20.
In the fourth period, Converse came out aggressive with a 5-1 run against the Bulldogs. The Valkyries eventually built a 10-5 advantage, but Barton nearly erase it all with a 4-0 spurt. Late in the period, the two teams were tied at 17 when Converse made the first move with a short 3-0 run. The two teams went back-and-forth the remainder of the period and were even tied as late as 23-23. Converse held match point at 24-23 but a service error allowed the set to continue.
Alayah Robertson got the final two kills for the Valkyries as they won the fourth set by a final score of 26-24.
Converse finished with 81 points, 61 kills, 9 aces, 11 blocks, 52 assists and 79 digs.
Ariel Bryant and
Alayah Robertson both tied for the team lead with 15 kills each.
Ella Ruckman finished second on the team with 14 kills on the afternoon.
Ariana Bryant had a team high five blocks, while
Ariel Bryant was second on the team with three blocks.
Scarlett Xiong led the team with 33 digs and four aces, while
Alysha Arroyo picked up a double-double with 45 assists and 15 digs.
Next Up:
Converse will return home and take on Belmont Abbey on Tuesday evening. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside the Weisiger Center.
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