#11 Valparaiso split four matches on Friday, including a victory over #6 Arkansas State, as the Crusaders hosted the first of three days of competition at the Crusader Classic, contested at Stardust Bowl II in Merrillville.

“Overall, finishing the day with a .500 record is not a bad thing,” said Crusader head coach Shon Washington.  “We are still very much alive for a shot at the title, and the ladies responded well in our last match against Arkansas State.  We're looking forward to tomorrow's traditional game format and our first match against Elmhurst.”

The Crusaders started Friday's action, which was contested in four-game baker format, by defeating #14 UW-Whitewater by a 719-697 count.  Valpo's next match was against #3 Nebraska, and while the Crusaders improved over their first match of the day, they still found themselves on the short end of a 828-774 decision.

Valpo then suffered a narrow defeat in its third match of the day, falling to Adrian, 742-725.  But the Crusaders bounced back to post their best four-game score Friday in a 790-719 victory over #6 Arkansas State.  Each team will have one bye over the first two days of competition, with Valpo's coming in the final session of the first day's action.

Nebraska went a perfect 4-0 on Friday to lead the pack after day one.  #17 Minnesota State-Mankato sits at 3-2, while Arkansas State is tied with the Crusaders at 2-2.  Elmhurst is 2-3 after one day of action, while Adrian and UW-Whitewater round out the field with identical 1-3 records.

Valparaiso (9-8) returns to the lanes on Saturday for the middle day of competition at the Crusader Classic.  Bowling is slated to begin at 11:30 a.m.