The #9 Valparaiso bowling team earned three victories on the first day of action at the Track Kat Klash in Huntsville, Texas on Friday, hosted by Sam Houston State.

The Crusaders kicked off Friday’s action, contested in the four-game baker format, against #14 UW-Whitewater.  Valpo led after game one by 13 pins, and after briefly losing the edge, posted a 209 in game three to take a 30-pin advantage into the finale.  But despite a 222 in the final game, UW-Whitewater’s 256 was enough for the Warhawks to claim a narrow 794-790 victory over Valpo in the opener.

Valpo rebounded in its second match of the day against Tulane, claiming a 57-pin lead after the first game thanks to an opening 207 and cruising to a 753-660 win.  The Crusaders found their next match against Louisiana Tech a bit tighter, falling behind after two games and only taking a narrow 16-pin lead into the final game, but it was just enough for Valpo to claim a 715-704 victory.

The Crusaders led #5 Nebraska after game one by 21 pins and were back within six pins after a game of 200 in the third game, but eventually fell by a final of 810-766 to the Cornhuskers.  Valpo closed the day with a victory, besting UAB in all four games, including its best game of the day with a 223 in the finale, to earn a 767-636 win.

Valparaiso (15-20) continues the three-day Track Kat Klash on Saturday.