SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In just their second home game of the season the Converse University volleyball team defeated UNC Pembroke 3-1 on Friday night inside the Weisiger Center.
With the win the Valkyries are now 8-6 overall and 7-0 in Conference Carolinas action. Converse is currently the only team with an unblemished record in conference play this season. Meanwhile, UNC Pembroke falls to 10-6 overall and 5-2 in Conference Carolinas play.
The night started out with a milestone recognition ceremony for senior setter
Alysha Arroyo. The Valkyries used the early celebration and the crowd to race out to an 8-3 first set lead over UNC Pembroke. A timely timeout by the Braves allowed them to regroup and counter with a 9-3 run of their own.
Throughout the first set both teams were deadlocked and were routinely tied throughout the later stages of the period. Converse made the first move late and built a 23-20 lead over UNC Pembroke. Once again, the Braves countered late and tied the set at 23. Moments later the Valkyries held set point at 24-23 but the Braves held off the Valkyries attack and tied the set at 24. Converse won the final two points of the period and took the first set 26-24 over the Braves.
In the second set, the Valkyries jumped out to an early 4-0 advantage before the Braves once again countered with a 4-0 run of their own. Converse then used an 11-2 run to build a commanding lead over UNC Pembroke midway through the second period. The Braves slowly chipped away at the Valkyries lead but it was too little too late as Converse held on for a 25-19 second set win.
The late momentum push by UNC Pembroke in the second period carried over into the third stanza as they built an early 9-3 lead over the Valkyries. Converse rallied and pulled within a pair of points on two different occasions at 12-10 and 14-12. The cat and mouse came continued throughout the period and the Valkyries eventually trailed 18-16 late in the third stanza. Converse was unable to complete the third period comeback as UNC Pembroke won the third set 25-19.
In the fourth set, UNC Pembroke jumped out to a 6-3 advantage over the Valkyries. Converse then went on an 8-0 run against the Braves defense and built an 11-6 lead over UNC Pembroke. The Braves then slowed the Valkyries offense down with a 5-0 spurt of their own to equalized the set at 11 points. The two teams remained close throughout the fourth period and the set remained deadlocked at 17. The Valkyries finished the match on an 8-2 run and won the fourth set by a final score of 25-20.
Converse finished with 66 points, 49 kills, 7 service aces, 10 blocks, 42 assists and 61 digs.
Ella Ruckman posted a team high 13 kills and four service aces on Friday evening.
Ariel Bryant finished second on the team with 12 kills and
Alayah Robertson finished third on the team with 11 kills. Robertson also led the team with six blocks, while
Alysha Arroyo finished with four blocks on the evening.
Arroyo recorded her second double-double of the week and her seventh double-double of the season. The senior led the team with 36 assists and finished second on the team with 13 digs.
Scarlett Xiong led the team with 24 digs and finished second on the team with four assists.
Next Up:
Converse will be back at home tomorrow afternoon against Mount Olive. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. inside the Weisiger Center.
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