Box Score Banner Elk, NC- Another match, another weird day. If the last year has taught us anything, it is that variables always exist. As Converse traveled to Lees McRae for their final road match of the regular season, the forecast was great. A little warm with no rain in sight. However, weather would play a huge factor in the way the match unfolded.
As usual, there was no shortage of drama in the doubles play. Anna Klasson and Valentina Aparicio came out very strong with a 6-2 win at number 3 to get the day going for the Valkyries. The number 1 pair of Tonya Glogowski-Watson and Taylor Parrott fought back and forth, having opportunities to secure the lead and potentially the win prior to falling 6-4. This left the 2 pair of Belen Vendrell and Marleen Prinz in a similar situation: the fate of the doubles point rested with them. Trailing 4-1 and looking different than the dominant pair they had been all year, they began their rally. Fighting all the way back to take a 6-5 lead, the match hinged on one crucial point. "B (Vendrell) really hit a great serve. They attacked the ball and Marleen was able to survive the initial hit. Then survive the second hit. Then finish the ball. Everybody went crazy. That swung the momentum heavy enough for them to finish it out and get us the win," Coach Poda said of the match as the pair pulled out the win 7-5.
Lees McRae, however, began to show why they have scored some impressive wins on the season. Singles play began with four matches, and LMC swept the first sets prior to a unforeseen storm rolling in. This forced the match to be moved indoors, an area most of the Converse team is unfamiliar, and some have never played. "The match moved to just two courts. So there is a lot of pressure on everybody. You know the score. There is a lot of eyes on you. But there is also more support because more of your teammates are in your corner," Poda said of the environment. LMC quickly showed their comfort indoors, winning the number 1, 2, and 3 singles positions in straight sets to push the Valkyries to the brink. Freshman Anna Klasson trailed 5-3 in the second set and even faced a match point prior to storming back to take the second set 7-5. The third set, Klasson ran with the momentum. Among the cheers and screams of her teammates, Klasson secured the 3^rd set, winning 4-6 7-5 6-2, giving the Valkyries new life with Prinz and Aparicio left to play.
Prinz dominated at the number 4 spot, winning 6-1 6-1. Not only did this win knot the match at 3-3, but it also set a new Converse record for most wins in a season at the number 4 position. Aparicio started the match with the team score deadlocked at 3-3 and both players knowing the outcome of their match would decide the fate of their team. After a back and forth affair, Aparicio clenched the first set 7-5 with a booming backhand that led to a crowd lifting roar as she faced her teammates and threw a celebratory uppercut. The second set started off tight, but Aparicio used elite variety of slices, topspin, and angles to wear the opponent down and push her to the brink. On match point, Aparicio stayed patient until she was able to push her opponent into the back fence, forcing an error and resulting in the team rushing the court to celebrate with today's hero. "I don't think I will ever forget how nervous and stressed I was the entire day today. Having the entire team cheering for you in the last defining match definitely gave the strength to come up with the win. I'm very thankful to be part of this amazing team," Aparicio said of her performance.
This win marks the 3^rd consecutive conference win and helps the Valkyries as they jockey for seeding in the upcoming conference tournament. Converse returns to action on Friday, as they begin a three day home stand against Barton at 2 pm.
Prinz and Vendrell tied the Converse record for most wins at the number 2 doubles position for a single season with today's win.
Prinz broke her tie and moved into first place for single season wins at the number 4 position.