The Valparaiso bowling program will enter the 2015-16 season ranked #15 nationally, as the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) released its preseason poll this week.

The Crusaders tallied 258 points for their 15th-place preseason ranking.  Nebraska, last year’s national champion, topped the preseason poll with 17 of 25 first-place votes and 941 points.

With the preseason national ranking, Valpo continues its streak of being ranked in every single NTCA poll since the program’s inception prior to the 2009-10 season. The preseason poll reflects the always-challenging nature of the Crusaders’ schedule as well, as five of the eight tournaments Valpo will travel to will be hosted by teams ranked among the preseason top-seven – Nebraska (#1), Arkansas State (#2), Fairleigh Dickinson (#4), Vanderbilt (#5) and UW-Whitewater (#7).