DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College women's volleyball team (5-13, 2-7 CC) was defeated by Converse University (13-4, 7-1 CC) in five sets at Belk Arena on Friday night.

The Fleet went the distance against a division leader to begin the weekend, and sophomore setter Ailena Mykins reached 1,000 career assists early in the opening set.

MATCH STAT LEADERS vs Converse (2-3 FINAL, 16-25, 25-23, 25-13, 15-25, 17-19)
KILLS: Ali Angell (17)
ACES: Ailena Mykins (3)
BLOCKS: Ella Dietrich (5)
ASSISTS: Ailena Mykins (26)
DIGS: Astyn Casey (17)

HOW IT HAPPENED
In a rematch of the season opener, Erskine welcomed in the Northwest Division leaders in Conference Carolinas on Friday night. The Fleet began the evening with a block from Becca Yohe and Ella Dietrich and matched Converse in the early stages of the opening set. However, the visitors went on a 7-0 run and cruised through the remainder of the first set. In Set 2, Converse won each of the first three points and the Fleet didn't lead until much later. Erskine stayed within striking distance and tied the set multiple times before finally going in front on a rare kill from setter Brenna Williams to take a 19-18 lead. A few points later, Dietrich added a kill and an ace to extend Erskine's lead to 24-21. The Valkyries fended off the first two set points, but a service error followed and the Fleet had drawn level in the match. Set 3 was the most dominant performance by the Fleet all season. Erskine led early and then went on a remarkable 14-0 scoring run in the middle stages, before a pair of kills from Ali Angell and Yohe each finished a commanding 25-13 set victory for the Fleet, who hit a scintillating .435 in the set. Set 4 followed a similar trend to Set 2, where the Fleet trailed for most of it but stayed within striking distance. However, this time, Converse closed the set strong and sent the match to a final set. The Fleet trailed Set 5, 10-6, but Ailena Mykins, who's serving run fueled the huge 14-0 run in Set 3, delivered again, this time with a 6-0 scoring run that included her third ace of the night, along with kills from three different Erskine players. Converse won the next three points to regain the lead, but an Angell kill followed by a block from Angell and Dietrich set up a match point for the Fleet. Converse won the next two points, but Yohe killed off the ensuing Valkyries match point, and then added another kill on the very next point to give Erskine its second match point. Again, Converse responded by winning the next two points, and again Yohe came through with a kill on match point number two for the visitors. However, the Valkyries won the next two points as the Fleet came up just short against a premier conference opponent.

THE PLAYER
Despite the loss, it was a memorable night for setter Ailena Mykins. The Harmony, North Carolina native eclipsed 1,000 career assists in just her second season in the Erskine program. Also, on the night, Mykins dished out 26 assists, added 15 digs, and 3 aces which helped lead the Fleet to a pair of massive scoring runs in the match. Friday was Mykins' fourth double-double of the season and the 15th of her career.

THE TEAM
Erskine hit .188 (56 K / 24 E / 170 A) for the match, while Converse posted a .223 hitting percentage. The Fleet totaled 7 aces and 5 blocks in the match.

WHAT'S NEXT? 
Erskine makes the trip to North Greenville University (7-12, 5-3 CC) on Saturday at 6 p.m. for the first meeting of the season between the Fleet and Trailblazers.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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