SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University acrobatics & tumbling team (3-4, 3-3 Conference Carolinas) scored season-highs in five heats and two events in their Wednesday night matchup with the No. 13 Saint Leo Lions (3-1). The Lions won the meet 250.985-246.040. The Valkyries' score of 246.040 is their highest overall score of the season by nearly nine points.
 
Event 1 – Compulsory
In the Compulsory event, Converse posted scores of 8.450 (Acro Heat), 9.500 (Pyramid Heat), 8.750 (Toss Heat), and 7.800 (Tumbling Heat). Converse won the tumbling event over their nationally-ranked visitors. The Valkyries' compulsory score of 34.500 is the team's second-highest of the season, only 0.250 points behind what Converse scored against Emmanuel. Saint Leo led 35.850-34.500 heading into the acro event.
 
Event 2 – Acro
In the Acro event, Converse posted scores of 6.850 (5 Element), 7.650 (6 Element), and 8.500 (7 Element). The Valkyries won the 6 Element heat and narrowly scored the same as the Lions in the event. With all scores combined in the acro event, Saint Leo scored 23.100 points to Converse's 23.000 points, putting the meet score at 58.950-57.500 in favor of the Lions.
 
Event 3 – Pyramid
In the Pyramid event, Converse posted scores of 9.300 (Inversion), 9.650 (Synchronized), and 9.350 (Open). The Valkyries posted a season-high in the inversion pyramid, but were outscored 29.550-27.600 in the event. The nationally-ranked Lions led 88.500-85.100 heading into halftime.

Event 4 – Toss
In the Toss event, Converse posted scores of 8.800 (450 Salto), 7.850 (Synchronized), and 9.200 (Open). The Valkyries' combined score of 26.200 is just 0.200 off of their season-best in the toss event. Saint Leo won the event 26.550-26.200 and led the meet 115.050-111.300 heading into the tumbling event.
 
Event 5 – Tumbling
The duo of senior Nia Jackson and sophomore Madison Seymour scored a 7.700 in the duo pass, a season-best for the Valkyries in the heat. Seniors Aiko Hirata, Estrella Seabolt and Ashlynn Voorhees combined for an 8.400 in the trio pass, the Valkyries' best score in the heat this season by half a point. A quartet of Valkyries led by seniors Krissa Gaines, Chloe Cleland, Emilee-Claire Carter and sophomore Kaylah Belle Danjczek scored a 7.200 in the quad pass. Gaines competed in the aerial pass and posted an 8.725. Hirata took on the 6 element pass and scored a 9.050, the Valkyries' first score over nine points in the heat this season. Voorhees rounded out the tumbling event with the open pass, scoring a 9.000, another season high for the Valkyries. The Lions again bested the Valkyries in the event with a score of 51.075-49.400 and led 166.125-160.700

Event 6 – Team
With a start value of 97.010, Saint Leo scored  77.750 to end the meet with an overall score of 241.250. Converse started their team event with a 97.640 start value. The Valkyries scored an 85.340, their highest of the season by nearly five points. Saint Leo won the meet 250.985-246.040.
 
Next Up:
The Valkyries head back on the road on Saturday, March 22 as they take on another nationally-ranked opponent, the Limestone Saints in Gaffney, South Carolina The meet is set to begin at 3 P.M.
 
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