SPARTANBURG, S.C. – For the first time since 2005 the Converse University volleyball team is victorious over Augusta University as the Valkyries downed the Jaguars 3-1 on Tuesday night inside the Weisiger Center.
With the win the Valkyries have now won nine straight games and move to 10-6 overall on the season. This is currently the longest winning streak in the NCAA Division II era. Meanwhile, Augusta has now lost two straight matches and drops to 5-10 overall on the season.
The two teams were evenly matched and deadlocked through the first 22 points of the period. Then the Valkyries made the first move and built a small 17-15 advantage over Augusta. The Jaguars responded by winning the next four points and stealing the momentum away from Converse. Tied at 20 Converse won the final five points of the period to win the first set 25-20.
In the second set the Valkyries jumped out to a 7-3 advantage over the Jags. Augusta rallied and eventually tied Converse at 11. A few points later the Jags went on a 6-0 building a 17-13 advantage over the Valkyries. A quick timeout by the Valkyries helped as they scored five of the next six points and tied the set at 18. The two teams were tied at 21 late in the second set and just like the first set the Valkyries won the final four points of the period.
Augusta jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the third set before the Valkyries rallied and tied the set at seven. The two teams then took turns trading the leads, but the Jags made the biggest jump in the period and built an 18-14 lead over the Valkyries. Converse rallied late but ran out of time as Augusta won the third period by a final score of 25-23.
Converse opened up the fourth set on an 11-2 run against the Jags. The Valkyries powered past a pair of comeback attempts by Augusta but it wasn't enough as Converse took the fourth set by a final score of 25-17.
Converse finished with 67 points, 51 kills, 9 aces, 7 blocks, 42 assists and 66 digs.
Ella Ruckman reset her career high with 16 kills on Tuesday evening.
Ariel Bryant finished second on the team with 11 kills and
Alayah Robertson finished third on the team with eight kills.
Robertson also led the team with five total blocks.
Alysha Arroyo finished with a double-double, collecting 35 assists and 17 digs.
Scarlett Xiong finished with a team best 19 digs on Tuesday evening.
Next Up:
Converse will hit the road this weekend with trips to King and Lees-McRae.
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