The #15 Valparaiso bowling team split six contests on the first day of action at Vanderbilt's Music City Classic in Smyrna, Tenn. on Friday.

The Crusaders sit in 17^th place in the 29-team field after the first day of competition, having accumulated a total pinfall of 4,285 pins. The host Commodores lead the team standings with 4,999 pins.

Valpo opened action, contested Friday in the four-game baker format, against #12 Sacred Heart. The Crusaders jumped out to a 28-pin lead after the first game and never looked back, eventually winning 789-732. The second match of the day for Valpo would not go as smoothly, as the Crusaders were out-scored in all four games in a 789-657 loss to #18 St. Francis (N.Y.).

The Crusaders jumped out to an 18-pin lead after the opening game against #3 Nebraska, but the Huskers out-scored Valpo by 64 in the next game en route to an 808-703 defeat. The Brown and Gold rebounded with wins over Florida A&M (726-651) and #20 Delaware State (739-697) in its next two matches, but ended the day on a losing note, falling 795-662 to #2 Maryland Eastern Shore.

Valparaiso (57-62) continues action at the Music City Classic with the second of three days of competition on Saturday.