Spartanburg, SC – Southern Wesleyan fell to the Converse Valkyries on Tuesday evening in a 3-0 final score.
The Warriors totaled 32 kills against the Valkyries. Ainsley Stovall led the team with eight kills. Of the 30 assists, Lily Clarkson led the team with 17 while Amiyah Spann followed with 10. Spann, Michaela Andress and Ashley Crick each had aces in the match.
Southern Wesleyan picked up 49 digs in the match with Lauren Smith leading the team with 16. Michaela Andress had 11 digs.
Match Vitals
Set One: Converse 25, Southern Wesleyan 14
Set Two: Converse 25, Southern Wesleyan 15
Set Three: Converse 25, Southern Wesleyan 21
Records: Southern Wesleyan (10-11 / CC 8-9) Converse (17-9 / CC 14-3)
How It Happened
Set One
Back-to-back service aces by Alysha Arroyo allowed the Valkyries to get on the board first in the match. The Warriors answered as Ainsley Stovall got the ball down for a kill. Converse answered with a couple of kills by Samiya Bolton. A kill off the hands of Kaylon Chapman kept the Warriors within three points of the Valkyries. Southern Wesleyan continued to put up a fight as Amiyah Spann served up an ace. However, the Valkyries went on a run that ended in an ace by Scarlett Xiong to give them an eight point lead. Spann set the ball up to Briley Wolff who drilled it past the Valkyries' defense. The Valkyries claimed set one in a 25-14 final.
Set Two
Southern Wesleyan kicked off the second set with an ace by Michaela Andress. Southern Wesleyan maintained their lead as Kaylon Chapman got the ball in for a kill. Ariana Bryant got the ball in for a kill to tie the set up at four. The Warriors pressed on as Chapman and Briley Wolff each got the ball in for kills. Southern Wesleyan and Converse exchanged points for a couple more plays before a kill by Samiya Bolton gave the Valkyries the advantage. Converse pushed on as Alayah Robertson blocked Wolff's next attack on the net. A kill off the hands of Ariel Bryant allowed Converse to claim the second set in a 25-15 final.
Set Three
An early attack error allowed Converse to take the first point of the final set. However, a kill by Ainsley Stovall gave the Warriors the advantage seconds later. Stovall got in another kill off a set by Amiyah Spann. Southern Wesleyan pressed on as Briley Wolff and Ellie Moore each laid down kills. The Valkyries answered as kills by Ella Ruckman, Daisy Woods and Bryant put them within two. Alysha Arroyo served up an ace to tie the set up at thirteen. Converse pressed on, but the Warriors answered as Megan Gilliland and Ainsley Stovall got the ball in for kills. The Warriors and Valkyries continued to battle it out, but Converse ended up on top as they blocked Kaylon Chapman's attack on the net to take the final set in a 25-21 final.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain on the road on October 30 as they travel to Franklin Springs, GA to take on the Emmanuel Lions at 7pm. The Warriors will then wrap up the regular season at home in Historic Tysinger Gymnasium. On October 31, the Warriors will welcome the Young Harris Mountain Lions to Central, SC for a 2pm match. Prior to the game, the Warriors will recognize the 2026 senior class. They will then conclude the regular season on November 3 as they host the Shorter Hawks at 6pm.
