SPARTANBURG, SC – The Converse Valkyries rode past UVA Wise in straight sets, 25-13, 25-14, 25-15, at Tom & Tracy Hannah Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Converse 3, UVA Wise 0
Records: UVA Wise (12-12); Converse (19-6)
Location: Spartanburg, SC | Tom & Tracy Hannah Gymnasium
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Converse opened the first set opened bytaking an early lead, aided by a string of service aces from Ariel Bryant. UVA Wise responded with a small run, including a block by
Mia Bradley and
Annabelle Dowell, followed by a kill from Dowell, to narrow the gap. Despite efforts from
Morgan Blankenship and
Mailea Hufnagel, who each scored kills, the Cavaliers could not make up lost ground and the set concluded with a score of 25-13 in favor of Converse.
- UVA Wise began the second set with a strong start, highlighted by Hufnagel's kill from
Madilyn Pardue's assist and followed by Hufnagel's service ace, giving them an early 2-0 lead. However, Converse responded to tie the score and then surged ahead with an 8-1 run. The Cavaliers managed to capitalize on Converse's occasional errors and added points through
Mable James and
Serina Petersen's kills, narrowing the gap to eight. Ultimately, Converse maintained their momentum, closing the set with a 25-14 win over the Highland Cavaliers.
- In the third set, UVA Wise use a Blankenship kill and subsequent service ace, to tie the score at 2-2. Converse once again had a pair of big runs to shoot out to the large lead and never look back in the 25-15 win to take the match.
GETTING WISE
- Pardue facilitated the offense with 12 assists over the three sets to go along with four digs.
-
Abigail Curtis contributed defensively with 11 digs
- Betz added four kills, three digs, and two block assists, tallying five points.
- Blankenship was effective at the service line, recording one ace and four kills.
- Hufnagel also tallied four kills.
UP NEXT
The Cavs return to The Quillen Court to host Southwest Virginia archrival Emory & Henry on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m.
