SUMTER, S.C.  – With the effects of Hurricane Helene mostly missing the Sumter area, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association hosted its southeast regional this past weekend beginning on Saturday and running through Tuesday afternoon. Four Valkyries took part in the action, earning the program its first-ever victories at the event.

Four Valkyries made the trip to Sumter for the competition: sophomore Takuma Furumaki, juniors Marty Letessier and Stanley Waters and senior Leopold Morel. All four Valkyries competed in singles and doubles competition.

Letessier won 6-4 in consecutive sets in his opening round singles matchup on Saturday morning before falling 7-5, 6-2 in the second round that afternoon. Waters also won his first round matchup, taking it by a score of 6-3, 6-4, before also falling in the second round, 6-3, 6-1.

Furumaki and Morel fought hard, but both dropped their opening round matchups.

In doubles competition both pairs of Valkyries took on opponents from Conference Carolinas. Furumaki and Waters dualed a duo from North Greenville and downed the newly-rebranded Trailblazers 8-6. They fell in the second round 8-2.

Letessier and Morel dropped their opening round doubles matchup 8-6 to a pair from Francis Marion.

"We definitely feel the sting of some missed opportunities, but all things considered we gained a lot from this weekend," state head coach James Smith. "All 4 guys had some good moments and represented Converse well on and off the court. It's tough to play your first event of the year against many of the top teams in the region and country, yet our guys showed some very positive signs. We are excited to get into team dual matches in October."

Furumaki won a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the round of 64 of the singles consolation bracket Sunday afternoon before taking a walkover win over Letessier, who had himself taken a walkover win in the previous round. Furumaki also won one exhibition match against an opponent from Coker, taking that match 6-1, 6-3. Keeping with trend, Morel also won in the round of 64 by walkover before falling 6-2, 6-1.

Waters grinded out a 7-5 victory in the first set of his consolation round of 64 match before cruising to a 6-1 victory in set two. He fell 6-2 in consecutive sets in the next round.

Up Next For the Valkyries:

With class, co-curricular activities and athletics events canceled at Converse until at least next Monday, Oct. 7, the team's dual match against Limestone, scheduled for Oct. 6 will be rescheduled. The next match on the Valkyries' schedule is Wingate, set for Sunday, Oct. 13.

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