DELAND, Fla. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's bowling team opened the 2012-13 season with 3-1 record and a first-place standing during the first day of the Bethune-Cookman Wildcat Invitational.  The Knights finished the first round of competition with a total pinfall of 3,942.

The Knights lead the standings with 80 more pins than second-place team, Sam Houston State and over 300 pins higher than top-five finishers, Adelphi, Bethune-Cookman and Monmouth.  Sam Houston was the only team to go 5-0 on the day.

FDU faced Sam Houston State in the first quad-Baker match.  The Bearkats defeated the Knights with scores of 224, 210, 189 and 182.  FDU rolled games of 182, 192, 179 and a day-high 245 for a total of 798, seven pins short of SHSU.

The match against Sam Houston was the collegiate debut for freshmen Nicolette Sarin (Sewell, N.J./Washington Township High School) and Rebecca Fischer (Pittsburgh, Pa./Northgate High School).  Sarin bowled in the leadoff position, while Fischer held the second position.

The Knights rebounded to win three-consecutive matches to conclude the day.

In match two the Knights faced Northeast Conference opponent, Monmouth University.  Games of 206, 173, 226 and 147 gave FDU a 752.  The Hawks bowled 156, 184, 165 and 171 for a 676 to give FDU its first win of the season.

The Knights faced host, Bethune-Cookman in match three.  FDU compiled a total score of 743 with games of 155, 204, 172 and 212, while the Wildcats bowled games of 165, 170, 168 and 160 for a 663.

Game four matched the Knights with Florida A&M.  FDU tied its day-high score of 245 and added t their total pinfall of games of 169, 210 and 215 for a total of 839.  FAMU bowled games of 186, 156, 163 and 173 for a 678.

“Midway through the day, we were still feeling our way out and still trying to find out who we are this year”, said Head Coach Mike LoPresti.  “Things changed during match four when we opened with a 245 and finished with an overwhelming victory.”

In the final game of the day the Knights bowled just for pinfall and recorded games of 191, 232, 191 and 196 for a total 810 to extend their lead over Sam Houston.

“This was a good day, a very positive day for many reasons,” added LoPresti.  “But mostly on the team side because are starting to find our identity.”

Day two of the Wildcat Invitational will feature traditional team games.