GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — Converse went 3-0 in their lone day of the Pioneer Classic, taking down Tusculum women’s volleyball in the final match on Friday (Sept. 5).
The Pioneers (1-1) dropped the regional match up to the Valkyries (3-0) by scores of 25-21, 23-25, 18-25, 20-25.
Converse had five players reach double figures in kills: Bree Lyons (15), Samiya Bolton (12), Mean Carpenter (11), Ariel Bryant (10), and Alayah Robertson (10). The setting duo of Alysha Arroyo (26) and Jayden Johnson (21) combined for 47 assists. Lyons also accounted for three service aces, while libero Noemia Chiacchio registered a match-high 18 digs. Robertson was credited with four total blocks as well.
Breana Pelbath notched a career-best 13 kills on a .333 hitting percentage, leading Jaida Alvin by one kill. Freshman Mackenzie Land earned her first start and recorded nine kills, with Jordyn Roderick just behind with eight. Karris Oller (4), Arena Lee (2), Eliza Jewell Oliverius (2), and Victoria Church (1) rounded out the TU offense. Church also tallied 29 assists, while Solene Roussel added 14. Alvin and Roussel completed their double-doubles with 15 and 10 digs, respectively. Taylor Sanders reached double-digit digs with her 11. Pelbath had a hand in four Pioneer blocks (two solo, two assists). Roderick was credited with three blocks (two solo, one assist).
Converse hit .293 as a team with 60 kills and 16 errors on 150 total attempts. Tusculum hit .215 with 51 kills, 20 errors, and 144 total attacks. The Valkyries led the Pioneers in assists (58-49), service aces (7-2), and digs (63-61), while the teams tied with six total blocks each.
Tusculum rounds out the Pioneer Classic with a pair of matches on Saturday (Sept. 6). TU will face Lee at 10 a.m. and Edinboro in the tournament finale at 2 p.m.
