The #24 Valparaiso University bowling team continued action at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Invitational on Saturday from Kenner, La., finishing the day in fifth place.

How It Happened

• Valpo opened the day, contested in the traditional team format, against Louisiana Tech by earning an easy 978-873 victory – led by a 214 game from freshman Rebecca Lohse (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton).
• Despite an effort of 221 from senior Alyssa Meade (Chesterfield, Mich./L’Anse Creuse North), the Crusaders fell in their second match to #5 Stephen F. Austin, 1024-849.
• Valpo posted a team score of 952 facing a bye in its third match of the day, led by a 206 game by fifth-year senior Olivia Wirtz (Battle Creek, Mich./Harper Creek [Vanderbilt]).
• Wirtz led the Crusaders in their next match as well, rolling a 223 as Valpo took down Southern by a 938-910 final.
• The Crusaders earned a victory against the program just ahead of themselves in the national rankings, defeating #23 UAB 963-885 in their penultimate match of the day. Lohse paced Valpo with a 220 game, while senior Savannah Carr (Buckeye, Ariz./Youngker) recorded a 205.
• For the fifth time in their six matches on the day, the Crusaders averaged better than 187 as a team. It would not be enough in the finale, however, as despite games of 222 from Carr and 214 from senior Marianna Guerrieri (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley), Valpo dropped a 1081-945 final to #6 Vanderbilt.
• Valpo finished the day with a pin count of 10,542 through 11 matches over the first two days of competition, good for fifth place and just 120 pins back of fourth-place Jackson State.

Next Up

The Crusaders (27-18) open best-of-seven baker bracket play on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. against Alabama State. The day features three bracket matches, as Valpo can finish as high as third place.