The #15 Valparaiso University bowling team finished out its third consecutive weekend of competition on Saturday on the final day of action from the Big Red Invitational in Lincoln, Neb.

On the third of three single-day events within the tournament, the Crusaders finished in seventh place on Saturday, totaling 3,678 pins over four traditional team matches. Host Nebraska claimed Saturday’s title with 4,370 pins.

Valpo struggled to open the day, falling in its opener to #8 Central Missouri, 922-850, and then dropping a 1080-841 decision to #2 Arkansas State despite a 196 game from freshman Kendra Tryniski (Fulton, N.Y./Fulton).

The Crusaders started to turn things around in their next match against #6 Sam Houston State, as a trio of bowlers cracked 200 – sophomore Aubree Trexler (Arcadia, Ind./Hamilton Heights) posted a 213 game, senior Kelsey Fader (New Baltimore, Mich./Anchor Bay) rolled a 203 and junior Alyssa Meade (Chesterfield, Mich./L'Anse Creuse North) recorded a 201. It would not quite be enough however, as SHSU earned a 1008-977 victory.

But Valpo carried the momentum into their final match of the weekend, ending on a high note with a 1011-969 win over #9 McKendree. Fader rolled the Crusaders’ top game of the day, registering a 246, and Meade also broke 200 in back-to-back games with a 208 game.

“To start a season with three weekends in a row is hard – our bowlers are tired, but thankfully we have an extra day off this week before going to Virginia,” said Crusader assistant coach Gabby Mayfield. “Kendra did a real nice job this weekend with staying positive and repeating her shots. We fought back really hard the last two matches against higher-ranked teams and showed what type of team we can truly be. The energy from the last two matches should carry over to next week.”

Valparaiso (15-24) travels to the Virginia Union Invitational for the first time next weekend. The three-day event, held in Midlothian, Va., starts next Friday.