SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Converse College Volleyball Team completed their final regular season game of the fall after hosting King University (17-10) Saturday afternoon. The Vals fell in four sets to wrap up the year with a 7-26 overall record and 2-13 within Conference play.
Ansley Hodge and Morgan Pearson posted 13 and 11 kills, respectively, in the conference matchup. Sydney Allen recorded 23 digs while teammate Lauren Tharrington led Converse offensively with 41 assists.
The Valkyries looked strong jumping out to a 5-1 advantage in the first set, but their lead quickly dwindled as the Tornado clawed their way back into the game, tying the scoring up 8-8. King collected seven of the next nine points to lead 17-10 to gain complete control over the match. But kills by a trio of Valkyries put the team just two points back, 24-22, looking hopeful. Unfortunately, the Tornado lead held through the final point putting King ahead 1-0 in the match.
Converse went down early in the second set, allowing King to steamroll to a 14-5 lead. The Valkyries got within seven points of the Tornado, but it was too late as King took the 25-17 victory giving them a commanding 2-0 lead.
The Valkyries came out hot in the third set scoring six of the first seven points. Kills by Morgan Pearson and Alexis Pitts and unforced errors from the Tornado put the Vals even further ahead at a comfortable 13-4 lead. Although a five point spurt from King put them just five points behind Converse, it was the Purple and Gold that came away with the pivotal 25-20 victory.
Looking to even out the match in the fourth set, the Valkyries came out determined, evenly exchanging the opening points of the frame. However, an impressive seven-point run from King gave it the 12-6 advantage. Refusing to go down without a fight, Converse battled back to a 14-14 tie. The two teams bounced back-and-forth continuing the even contest all the way to a 24-24 tie. As King extended their lead to 25, Elizabeth Yohe posted a final kill to tie the match yet again, but despite the Vals efforts, the Tornado defeated Converse 27-25 to win the game 3-1.