Closing out a tournament in which seven of the eight squads were nationally ranked, the #20 Valparaiso bowling team finished action at the Big Red Invitational in Lincoln, Neb. on Saturday morning in sixth place.

The Crusaders totaled 11,768 pins over the three days’ 14 matches for their sixth-place finish, defeating #17 Elmhurst as well as Prairie View A&M.  Central Missouri earned the overall team title with a pinfall of 12,646.

Valpo was led on Saturday by Amanda Cortese (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates [Central Missouri]), who posted a 180 average of her five games on the day.  Natalie Cortese (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates [Central Missouri]) registered an average of 177 Saturday, while Krystyna Johnson (Montgomery, Ill./Oswego East [Delaware State]) tallied a 175 average over the five games.

The Crusaders kicked off the day with a tight loss to Elmhurst, falling 870-867 despite a 204 game from Johnson.  Valpo then took on the eventual tournament champions from UCM, dropping a 1035-855 decision.

The Crusaders then suffered a 940-857 defeat at the hands of Arkansas State, but rebounded with an 890-858 win over Prairie View A&M thanks to a 208 game by Amanda Cortese, Valpo’s high single game of the day.  Valpo concluded tournament competition falling to Minnesota State-Mankato 909-852 despite a 202 from Natalie Cortese.

Valparaiso (14-14) will return to the lanes when it hosts the inaugural Crusader Classic at Inman’s Recreation Center on Nov. 13-14.  Action on Friday is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m.