After finishing its inaugural season ranked tenth in the nation, Valparaiso bowling head coach Shon Washington announced his squad’s 2010-2011 schedule today, featuring tournaments at six of the nation’s top ten teams.

The 2010-2011 slate begins Oct. 29-31 at the Greater Ozark Invitational, hosted by Central Missouri.  Two weekends later, Valpo will host the second edition of the Crusader Classic Nov. 12-14, this year being held at Stardust Bowl II in Merrillville.  The Crusaders will close out the calendar year at tournaments hosted by Maryland Eastern Shore and St. Paul’s College.

Following the holiday break, the Crusaders take to the lanes for six more tournaments over the next three months, traveling to compete at Arkansas State, Kutztown, Fontbonne, Delaware State, Indiana and Vanderbilt.  The NCAA Championships will be held April 14-16 in Detroit, Mich., with the top eight teams in the nation earning invitations.

Valpo enters its second year of competition with four starters returning from a squad that went 68-46 in its inaugural season, led by Second Team All-American Natalie Cortese.  Seven letterwinners in all return from last year’s team, while one transfer and five freshmen round out the 2010-2011 Crusaders.