DUE WEST, S.C. – The Converse University volleyball team had to go the distance on Wednesday evening as they defeated Erskine 3-2 inside Belk Arena.
With the win the Valkyries improve to 7-6 overall and 6-0 in Conference Carolinas action. This is the best start to the conference season in program history and the longest winning streak since the Valkyries won eight straight conference matches last season. Meanwhile, Erskine drops to 1-12 overall and 0-6 in Conference Carolinas play.
The two teams were deadlocked through the first 12 points of the opening frame. The Flying Fleet made the first move and built a small 15-11 lead over the Valkyries. Converse countered with a four point spurt to tie the set once again at 15. Once again, Erskine stole the momentum back with a 5-1 run and built a small advantage over the Valkyries. Converse rallied late but ran out of time as the Flying Fleet won the opening set 25-22.
In the second set, Erskine once again made the opening move and jumped out to an 8-5 lead over the Valkyries. Converse countered and stole the momentum with a 5-0 run against the Flying Fleet defense. The Valkyries were able to maintain a small lead until the Flying Fleet tied the set at 14 midway through the period. Erskine then used a 9-2 run to build a 23-18 advantage over the Valkyries. Converse called a timeout and it nearly worked to perfection but the Valkyries late rally fell short as the Flying Fleet won the second set 25-23.
Converse opened the third set on a 7-3 run over the Flying Fleet. Converse eventually built a 19-11 advantage over Erskine and then cruised to a 25-16 third set victory. The fourth set was similar to the third set for the Valkyries as they built an early 8-3 lead over the Flying Fleet. Converse eventually built a 21-10 advantage over Erskine and won the fourth set by a final score of 25-15.
In the fifth and final set, the Valkyries held all the momentum as they ran out to a 10-3 lead over the Flying Fleet. Erskine scored a few points late but it was not enough as the Valkyrie closed out the reverse sweep with a 15-7 fifth set win.
Converse finished with 80 points, 59 kills, 10 aces, 11 blocks, 56 assists and 69 digs on Wednesday evening. The Valkyries recorded a .261 hitting percentage for the match and had a set high .538 hitting percentage in the final set.
Ariel Bryant and
Alysha Arroyo both had double-doubles on Wednesday evening. Bryant finished with a team high 18 kills and 10 digs, while Arroyo posted a team high 48 assists and 10 dig performance.
Alayah Robertson and
Samiya Bolton both finished second on the team with 12 kills each.
Ariana Bryant and Arroyo tied for the team lead with five blocks each and
Ariel Bryant was third on the team with four blocks.
Scarlett Xiong led the team with 26 digs and a trio of service aces.
Next Up:
Converse will return to home on Friday night to battle UNC Pembroke. The match is set for a 6:00 p.m. start time inside the Weisiger Center.
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