The #20 Valparaiso bowling team picked up three victories over nationally-ranked squads on Saturday, going 4-1 and moving up into sixth place after day two of three at the Hawk Classic in Millsboro, Del.

“I was pleased with our performance today because we were very consistent as a team today against a very competitive schedule,” said Crusader head coach Stephen Anthony.  “To post victories against NJCU, UMES and Adelphi was a positive accomplishment and put us in good standing in the tournament leading into day three.”

The Crusaders opened action on Saturday by falling to Norfolk State, 841-823, but rebounded nicely in their second match, defeating #13 Adelphi, 901-886, getting a 214 game from Krystyna Johnson (Montgomery, Ill./Oswego East [Delaware State]).  Valpo followed with a 908-858 victory over #8 New Jersey City University, led again by Johnson with a game of 208.

The Crusaders then downed the host institution, beating #4 Maryland Eastern Shore 955-920 behind a 208 game by Nicole Hamilton (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South).  Valpo concluded the day with another solid win over St. Peter’s, coming away with a 943-810 thanks in large part to a 203 from Johnson and a team-best game of the day of 215 by Amanda Cortese (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates [Central Missouri]).

Valpo got a consistent effort throughout the day up and down the lineup, as four of the Crusaders’ bowlers averaged at least a 177 on Saturday.  Johnson paced the Crusaders with a 193.8 average over the day’s five matches, while Hamilton posted a 184.8 and Cortese a 182.2.  Natalie Cortese (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates [Central Missouri]) chipped in with an average of 177.8 on the day.

“I was pleased with our decisions today and how well we stayed together as a team to post four scores over 900 for the day,” said Anthony.  “I'm looking forward to the bracket play tomorrow and the challenge of putting together a strong third day at the tournament.”

Valparaiso (25-20) sits in sixth place after the second day of competition with a cumulative pinfall total of 8,910 total pins.  The final day of action on Sunday will consist of bracket play for final tournament placement, with the Crusaders able to finish anywhere from third to eighth place.  Bowling will commence on Sunday at 10 a.m. CST.