The #11 Valparaiso bowling team opened play at the three-day Hawk Classic in Millsboro, Del. Friday afternoon with a solid performance, going 4-1 on the day.

The Crusaders finished the day in ninth place with 3,783 total pins through five four-game baker matches.  Valpo found itself down 27 pins despite an opening 195 in the day's opener against #13 Adelphi, but used games of 191 and 209 to claw back within ten pins.  The Crusaders then took advantage of a 124 game by Adelphi in game four, rolling a 186 to earn a come-from-behind 781-729 victory. 

The second match of the day was not so kind, as the Crusaders suffered their lone defeat against #16 Morgan State, 776-669.  The Crusaders trailed by 24 pins after one game in their third match, versus #7 Delaware State, but erased nearly the entire deficit with a 226 in game two.  A 189-160 advantage in game three gave Valpo the 28-pin lead entering the final game, and the Crusaders rolled a 195 to earn the 768-738 win. 

Match four, against #10 Sacred Heart, again saw Valpo trailing after one game, but a 207-184 game two gave the lead to the Crusaders as they went on to an 811-765 victory.  In the final contest of the day, against Monmouth, Valpo out-scored the opposition in all four games, including efforts of 211 and 200 in the first two games, as it cruised to a 754-646 victory.

“We were led today by consistent shots from Natalie Cortese and Nicole Sanhamel,” said Ashley Busiel.  “We are looking forward to our tough, competitive day tomorrow against highly ranked teams.  Tomorrow we are up against Kutztown, St. Francis College, NJCU, UMES, and Fairleigh Dickinson.  Tomorrow will be the challenge that I know the girls are ready for.”

Valparaiso (18-12) returns to action with traditional format matches from the Hawk Classic on Saturday.  Action is slated for an 8 a.m. CST start.