The Valparaiso bowling program will enter the 2013-14 season ranked #14 nationally, as the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) released its preseason poll this week.

The Crusaders tallied 161 points for their 14th-place preseason ranking. Defending national champions Nebraska topped the preseason poll with 19 of 26 first-place votes and 744 points.

All nine of Valpo's regular season tournaments in 2013-14 are hosted by programs within the top-20 nationally in the preseason poll, including tournaments at six of the top-seven teams in the nation. In addition, seven of the top-nine teams in the preseason poll will be among the 14-team field for this year's edition of the Crusader Classic.

Valpo returns nine letterwinners from last year's team, which won 60 matches against one of the nation's most difficult schedules. In addition, the Crusaders add six newcomers to the squad for the 2013-14 campaign, as the program attempts to return to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.