The #15 Valparaiso University bowling team closed out the FDU NJ Jamboree on Sunday, placing 14^th in bracket play.

“This is not the way we wanted to start off the year,” said Crusader head coach Matt Nantais. “We've identified some things that we need to work on a little bit more in practice. We will start implementing those changes on Monday.”

The Crusaders were seeded 14^th for bracket action following the first two days of play, and were paired up against #14 LIU Brooklyn in their first bracket match. Valpo and LIU traded wins in the first four games of the best-of-seven baker series before LIU took a 3-2 lead with a game five win. The Crusaders forced a decisive seventh game with a 232-193 win in game six, but a 209 game for LIU in the seventh game was enough to send Valpo to a 4-3 defeat.

Valpo attempted to bounce back in the tournament finale as the Crusaders faced off with #18 Kutztown. Valpo broke 200 in two of the first three games, but it wouldn’t be enough to take either, as Kutztown claimed a 3-0 lead. The Crusaders did keep the match alive with a 168-141 win in game four, but couldn’t find a win in game five to extend the match as they fell 4-1.

“Overall, I thought the team performed pretty well, even though the win/loss record does not reflect that,” said Nantais. “The pattern this weekend definitely didn't play as it typically would, but that's not an excuse why we struggled at times. We are excited to host the Crusader Classic this week, and hopefully we can bring back the title back home again.”

Valparaiso (4-8) returns home to host the seventh annual Crusader Classic next weekend, starting on Friday, Nov. 6.