Saturday's third match slot at the Flyer Classic in Lockport, Ill. featured a record-setting performance from the #18 Valpo bowling team, as the Beacons broke the program record for score in a traditional team match by posting an 1152 against McKendree, led by Payton Rowley (Stewartville, Minn./Stewartville), who recorded the third-highest individual single-game score all-time at Valpo. The effort against the Bearcats was the highlight of a four-win day for the Beacons on the second day of competition.
 
How It Happened

• Valpo opened the day with a 978-941 victory over UIndy, as Rowley started off strong with a 238 and Peytin Brake (Kent City, Mich./Kent City) rolled a 212.
• The Beacons made it two wins in as many matches with an 881-832 besting of Marian, with Brake pacing the squad with a 191.
• That was just a precursor for the record-setting win over #19 McKendree in the third match slot, as Valpo came out ahead, 1152-998. The Beacons' 1152 score was seven pins better than the previous mark of 1145, set against Augustana in January 2023.
• It was a total team effort to set the record, as all five bowlers broke 200, highlighted by Rowley finishing her game off with 11 straight strikes after leaving an open in the first frame to post a 279. Only two bowlers in program history have bested that mark, as Rowley now shares third position on Valpo's single-game chart with Kendra Tryniski (November 2015) and Noelle Doody (October 2021).
• Behind Rowley, Jen Patz (Naples, Fla./Naples) rolled a 237, Brake and Angela Webber (Harvest, Ala./Sparkman) each posted 216s and Alexis Wooley (Fort White, Fla./Fort White) rounded out the quintet with a 204.
• A fourth straight win was on the cards in the fourth match slot, as Valpo earned a 1008-921 victory over #RV Carroll. Webber led the way for the Beacons with a 225, Rowley registered a 212 and Mia Kottke (Niles, Ill./Resurrection) recorded a 202.
• The day ended with a loss, as Valpo fell 1043-941 to #14 Sam Houston State despite a season-best 215 game from Sawyer Jones (Olympia, Wash./Olympia [Sam Houston State]).
• Rowley ended the day with the Beacons' top individual average, posting a 209.2 over Saturday's five matches. It marked the third time in her career the junior has averaged at least 200 on a traditional match day.
• Valpo finished the day in 10^th place out of 26 teams in the team standings, accumulating 9,660 pins over the first two days of action. The Beacons jumped three spots from their placement after Friday's opening day.

 
Next Up
Valpo (41-32) closes out the Flyer Classic with a trio of best-of-seven baker matches in bracket play on Sunday, beginning at 8:10 a.m.