Belmont, NC – On the third and final day of the ITA Southeast Regional, the Converse College Tennis Team had one of the best days of their young season.  After getting in the win column on Friday, they looked to continue that momentum and success on Saturday.  Not only were the Valkyries able to do that, but Juniors Valentina Aparicio and Maria Belen Vendrell would end up facing each other in the finals of the consolation bracket.

To begin today's round, Maria Belen Vendrell faced Emmanuel College's Zyanya Rogel.  Vendrell jumped out early in the first set, but Rogel would mount a comeback to win the set 6-4.  In the second set, Vendrell waisted no time and dominated Rogel on her way to a 6-0 win, to tie the match up at a set a piece.  The third and final set was a back and forth affair, with Vendrell finally prevailing 10-8, to advance to the consolation finals.

Converse's second match of the day was very similar to the first.  Valentina Aparicio lost the first set to Belmont Abbey's Tania Semaan by a score of 2-6.  However, she would find her momentum and tie the match by winning the second set, 6-4.  In the third and deciding set, both players battled, but Aparicio would prevail 10-4, setting up a finals match with fellow teammate Maria Belen Vendrell.  Even though they are teammates, Vendrell and Aparicio would have to put that aside and compete against each other in the final match of the day.  When all was said and done, Maria Belen Vendrell won the consolation final over Valentina Aparicio by a score of 6-0, 6-1. 

After three days of competition, the Valkyries Tennis Team came away winning 5 matches and the consolation final.  Head Coach Alex Poda was very happy with the play of his team and was impressed with the momentum they created after Thursday's matches.  His team proved they have the ability to be successful in Conference Carolinas and the first year Coach is looking forward to seeing his team improve on this weekend's performance.