The #9 Valparaiso bowling team continued play at the UMES Hawk Classic in Millsboro, Del. on Saturday in the second of three days of competition.

The Crusaders totaled 4,768 pins on the second day of action and now have a cumulative total of 8,545 pins through two days, good for eighth place in the 18-team field.  Host Maryland Eastern Shore leads the team standings with 9,359 total pins.

Valpo opened the day’s competition, contested in the traditional team format, against #4 Vanderbilt, but despite games of 224 from freshman Danielle Lynn (Janesville, Wis./Milton) and 214 from redshirt sophomore Alyssa Alvarez (Antioch, Ill./Antioch), the Crusaders fell by an 1142-1011 score.  The second match saw the Crusaders drop a tight 984-957 decision to #8 Sam Houston State, with Lynn posting a 204 and fellow rookie Raychel Wolever (Charlotte, Mich./Charlotte) a 200 to lead Valpo.

Valpo earned its first win of the day in its third matchup, downing #3 Fairleigh Dickinson by a final of 958-876, as Alvarez, junior Jill Larson (Merrillville, Ind./Merrillville) and Lynn all broke 200 with games of 233, 224, and 211, respectively.  The Crusaders suffered a 1024-899 defeat to #12 Kutztown, with Lynn posting a team-high score of 193 in the defeat.  The day ended on a high note as Valpo earned a tight 943-938 victory over #13 New Jersey City, led by a 233 from Alvarez and a 201 from freshman Katherine Sulaitis (St. Charles, Ill./East).

Valparaiso (12-15) concludes the three-day Hawk Classic on Monday with bracket play.