SPARTANBURG, SC- The Converse College tennis team earned their first Conference Carolinas win against the Bobcats of Lee-McRae College on Saturday, March 24.  The Valkyries earned the win, 5-1 while both teams were playing down two players.  Converse moves to 4-12 overall, with the Bobcats dropping to 1-8 on the season.

The purple and gold started the match by continuing their strong season in doubles play.  Junior Olivia Self (Greenville, SC) and sophomore Taylor Bland (Irmo, SC) handled Lyndsay Peagram and Samantha Wohlers at the #1 doubles position in a tight match, 8-6.  Freshman Raissa Morandi (Campinas, Brazil) and sophomore Marisa Esformes (Miami, FL) notched their seventh doubles win of the season at the #2 slot in convincing fashion over Kelsey Hiatt and Raven Harris, 8-2.

Self faced Peagram again at #1 singles in another tight match, earning the win 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 11-9.  Morandi dropped the #2 singles pairing to Wohlers, 2-6, 6-4, 10-4.  Bland made short work of Hiatt at #3 singles, 6-0, 6-1; while Esformes handled Harris at the #4 slot , 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

The Valkyries will be in action next when they host the Tornados of King College on March 30 at 3pm.

Singles competition

1. Olivia Self def. Lyndsay Peagram 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 11-9

2. Samantha Wohlers def. Raissa Olmos Morandi, 2-6, 6-4, 10-4

3. Taylor Bland def. Kelsey Hiatt, 6-0, 6-1

4. Marisa Esformes def. Raven Harris, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Olivia Self/Taylor Bland def. Lyndsay Peagram/Samantha Wohlers, 8-6

2. Raissa Olmos Morandi/Marisa Esformes def. Kelsey Hiatt/Raven Harris, 8-2