FLORENCE, SC – It came down to the final event, the team competition, where Converse University edged Francis Marion University in the season-opening acrobatics and tumbling meet  for both squads on Saturday (Feb. 14).  The Valkyries prevailed 216.635 to 211.015.
 
Francis Marion will compete at preseason conference favorite Lander University on Friday at 6 p.m.  The next home contest for the Patriots will be Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. against King University.
 
The Patriots held a narrow lead (0.250) heading into the team event, where Converse posted a 76.960 score compared to FMU's 71.090 tally to decide the contest.
 
Francis Marion claimed a slight advantage after the opening compulsory events, 29.85 to 28.10.  The Valkyries reversed that order after the three acro events, taking the lead by a point-and-a-half.
 
In the third heat (open) of the pyramid competition, Francis Marion posted a 9.55 score, out of a possible 10.00, with senior Jaliyah Douglas, sophomores Taira Bentley and JaLin Nelson, and juniors Kaylee Rowell, Bethany Tymes, and Keirstyn Rogers comprising the Patriots in that competition.  Despite that, Converse held a 78.30 to 71.80 margin at halftime. 
 
The Patriots rallied in the toss portion, registering scores of 8.05, 7.55, and 9.00 in the three events to trim the deficit to 100.65 to 96.40.
 
In the six tumbling events, Francis Marion outscored the Valkyries 43.525 to 39.025 to take the lead going into the team event.  In the tumbling portion, FMU freshman Eilee Gonzales scored 8.975 in the 6-element pass, while sophomore Jordyn Hines posted an 8.325 tally in the open pass.  Gonzales and freshman Kara Glavach recorded a 7.90 score in the duo pass.
 
The 211.015 team score is the highest for a Patriot squad in a season opener.