NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – For the first time in program history, Converse University is the Conference Carolinas Women’s Volleyball champions. The Valkyries matched a school record in services aces in their 3-0 victory over UNC Pembroke in the championship match.

The sixth seed, Converse jumped out to a 7-1 lead behind three straight service aces from Ariel Bryant. The Valkyries continued their tough serving with seven aces in their 25-9 first set victory.

The Converse offense picked up in the second set, hitting .293 with 17 kills to go along with five aces in the 25-20 win. The Valkyries raced out to a 5-0 lead in the third set, but UNC Pembroke came back with five straight points to even the set. Converse regained an 11-7 lead with a 4-0 run. The Valkyries held that lead and added two aces to match the school record of 14 before Noemia Chiacchio gave Converse the 25-15 win with her 15th kill of the match.

Chiacchio led Converse with 15 kills and 12 digs while Ariel Bryant added six kills and 16 digs. Mackenzie Day posted 12 digs.

Ruby Countryman, Abby Peduzzi and Precious Daley all posted five kills for UNC Pembroke while Tyler Patterson registered 20 assists and 19 digs.

Converse earns the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship. The tournament field will be announced on Monday, November 25 at 7:30 p.m. on NCAA.com. The NCAA regionals will start on December 6.

2024 Women’s Volleyball Championship
All-Tournament Team
MVP – Mackenzie Day, Converse
Arie Bryant, Converse
Alysha Arroyo, Converse
Precious Daley, UNC Pembroke
Tyler Patterson, UNC Pembroke
Alaina Emminger, Emmanuel
Ashlyn Stone, Mount Olive

Elite 23 Award
Layla Bland, Emmanuel

2024 Conference Carolinas Women's Volleyball Championship
Saturday, November 16 (Nos. 4, 5 & 6 Host)
No. 11 Barton def. No. 8 King, (at Converse), 3-0 Box Score
No. 9 Southern Wesleyan def. No. 10 Young Harris (at North Greenville), 3-2 Box Score

First Round – Sunday, November 17 (Nos. 4, 5 & 6 Host)
No. 7 Shorter def. No. 12 Belmont Abbey (at UNC Pembroke), 3-2 Box Score

Second Round – Saturday, November 16 (Higher Seed Hosts)
No. 5 Converse def. No. 11 Barton, 3-0 Box Score
No. 4 North Greenville def, No. 9 Southern Wesleyan, 3-0 Box Score

Second Round – Sunday, November 17 (Higher Seed Hosts)
No. 6 UNC Pembroke def. No. 7 Shorter, 3-0 Box Score

Quarterfinals – Thursday, November 21 (North Charleston Athletic Center, North Charleston, S.C.)
No. 5 Converse def. No. 4 North Greenville, 3-0 Box Score
No. 6 UNC Pembroke def. No. 3 Francis Marion, 3-2 Box Score

Semifinals – Friday, November 22 (North Charleston Athletic Center, North Charleston, S.C.)
No. 5 Converse def. No. 1 Emmanuel, 3-2 Box Score
No. 6 UNC Pembroke def. No. 2 Mount Olive, 3-0 Box Score

Final – Saturday, November 23 (North Charleston Athletic Center, North Charleston, S.C.)
No.5 Converse def. No. 6 UNC Pembroke 3-0 Box Score