SPARTANBURG, S.C. – For the first time since 2021 the Converse University volleyball team is victorious over the Trojans of Mount Olive. The Valkyries defeated Mount Olive 3-1 on Saturday afternoon inside the Weisiger Center.
With the win the Valkyries improve to 9-6 overall and 8-0 in Conference Carolinas action this season. Converse has now won eight straight matches a new NCAA Division II era program record. Meanwhile, Mount Olive falls to 7-9 overall and 3-5 in Conference Carolinas play.
In the opening set, Mount Olive opened up the match on a 5-3 run and eventually held a 9-6 advantage over the Valkyries. The Trojans lead continued to balloon and late in the period they held a 20-12 lead over Converse. The Valkyries attempted a late rally but ran out of time as the Trojans took the opening set 25-18.
The second set appeared to be trending in the Trojans direction as they built a 7-1 lead early in the period. Converse called a timeout to settle down and stop the Mount Olive momentum shift. The timeout worked as the Valkyries went on a 10-4 run to tie the set at 11. While holding all the momentum the Valkyries went on a 12-3 run and built a 23-14 advantage over the Trojans. Converse cruised to a 25-17 second set win over Mount Olive.
Converse opened up the third set on an 11-5 run against the Trojans. Mount Olive countered with a few small runs but the Valkyries answered and built an 18-11 advantage. Converse ran away with the third period and defeated Mount Olive by a final set score of 25-15.
In the fourth set the two teams were deadlocked through the first 20 points of the period. Converse made the first move with a 5-1 run to build a 15-11 advantage over the Trojans. The Valkyries continued to build on their momentum and eventually held a 23-17 lead over Mount Olive. Converse won the final set 25-18 against the Trojans.
Converse finished with 71 points, 57 kills, 6 aces, 8 blocks, 49 assists and 82 digs.
Ariel Bryant and
Alysha Arroyo both recorded double-doubles in the match on Saturday afternoon. Bryant finished with 11 kills and 13 digs, while Arroyo finished with 42 assists and 17 digs.
Alayah Robertson led the team with 14 kills and 7 blocks, while
Bree Lyons finished second on the team with 12 kills.
Ella Ruckman tied Bryant for third on the team with 11 kills against the Trojans on Saturday.
Ariel Bryant and
Daisy Woods both tied for the team lead with two service aces each, and Arroyo finished second on the team with four blocks on the afternoon.
Scarlett Xiong finished with a team high 23 digs against the Trojans.
Next Up:
Converse will be back at home this coming Tuesday evening when they take on Augusta. The match is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. start inside the Weisiger Center.
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