Spartanburg, SC- The wind is not the only thing that blew back and forth today. The momentum swings throughout the Valkyrie's match with Emmanuel College were mammoth in size, plentiful in quantity, and emotional throughout. The conference foes renewed their matchups for the first time in two years, following last year's match being canceled. Immediately, it was evident how much had changed for the Converse team.

    Within minutes, the number 2 doubles pairing of María Belén Vendrell and Marleen Prinz  blew open the match with a 6-0 dismantling of Emmanuel's Ramos and Khmelevskaiai. The momentum swung shortly after, as Valentina Aparicio and Anna Klasson were unable to rally from a 3-0 deficit at the number 3 position and fell 6-3 to Raich and Castillon of Emmanuel. For the third consecutive match, the doubles point fell on the shoulders of number 1 doubles pair Taylor Parrott and Tonya Glogowski-Watson . Emmanuel dictated their service games with booming serves and well executed finishes, and the Converse pair eventually fell in a tightly contested 6-4 match.

    However, Converse continued their recent habit of striking early, as Anna Klasson continued her impressive freshman campaign, leveling the match at 1-1 with her 6-4 6-0 triumph at number 5 singles. With the match knotted, Emmanuel showed why many perceive them as one of the favorites to win the conference by winning the number 3 and 6 positions to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the match. However, the Valkyries were not finished. Vendrell saved match points and rallied from a 6-3 5-2 deficit to force a third set, while Glogowski-Watson and Prinz both had won their first sets. Having all three matches going the distance, the Valkyries had life, before Glogowski-Watson lost a tough 3 set match against Emmanuel's Guerrero 6-3 2-6 6-3. Converse continued to fight, with Vendrell and Prinz both clinching 3 set victories. 

    Prinz has now won 4 consecutive singles matches and holds a record of 5-1, while the pairing of Prinz and Vendrell have defeated 3 straight opponents and have an identical 5-1 record together. Vendrell has been leading the team from the number 1 position, continuing to give gutsy performances and performing at a high level, despite the pressure that may come with the position. That mental toughness to never give up is something that resonates from Vendrell, and leaks to the rest of the team. "Being down match point was mentally tough but I was not going to give up. After saving the match point, it gave me the energy and strength to turn around the match for myself and the whole team. Winning that match after so hard felt amazing, but I am ready to continue working for our next match," said Vendrell of the experience. The Valkyries are back in action on March 26 as they travel to play Mount Olive.