GREENWOOD, S.C. – Freshman Elizabeth Yohe posted a stellar game of eight kills and a team-high 12 digs, but it was not enough as the Converse (2-7) volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Lander (7-1) on Wednesday evening. The Bearcats were able to complete the sweep with set scores of 25-13, 25-17, and 25-22.
A kill by Yohe gave the Purple and Gold a 4-2 lead early, but a 9-2 spurt by LU turned the tide and put the Bearcats ahead 11-5. Back-to-back kills from Yohe and Jordan Mrkvicka closed the gap to 11-7 before Lander reeled off five in a row to regain momentum and expand the lead to 16-7. That lead grew to as many as 12 with Lander taking the first frame 25-13.
Set number two was highly competitive early with the two teams trading the initial 14 points. However, Lander took control of the set with a damaging 9-1 run. Morgan Pearson connected on a kill to ignite four consecutive points by the Valkyries, narrowing the deficit to 16-12 midway through. That would be as close as Converse saw the set as Lander opened the score back up and took a 2-0 match lead with a 25-17 frame win.
Lander raced out to a 6-3 lead in the third, but Yohe's kill for the 10th point helped Converse to collect three in a row to knot the set at 6-all. A 5-2 run by the Bearcats put Lander ahead 11-8 before the Vals used an 8-3 burst to take their first lead, 16-14. From that point the set was tied on five different occasions, but with the tally at 22-22, Lander took three in a row to close out the match with a 25-22 win in set three.
Pearson matched Yohe with a team-leading eight kills, while Kelsey Elliott was able to help anchor the defense with 12 digs. Ansley Hodge collected a season-high four kills and Lauren Tharrington dished out 14 assists.
Converse will return to the court on Friday, September 7 as it plays host to the Converse Invitational. The Valkyries will open play at 12:30 p.m. on Friday against Valdosta St.