DOVER, Del. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's bowling team cracked the top five during the first day of competition at the Delaware State Capital City Classic on Friday, Feb. 8. The Knights went 4-1 on the day to move to 44-19 on the year. With a total pinfall of 3,936 the Knights sit in fifth place after day one of the three-day tournament.

The Knights challenged two-time NCAA champion UMES in the first quad Baker match of the day. A lineup of Natasha Ashby (Philadelphia, Pa./Science Leadership Academy), Rebecca Fischer (Pittsburgh, Pa./Northgate High School), Michelle Hunzaker (Cary, NC/Green Hope High School), Liat Vizenfeld (Holon, Israel/Campus Kiryat Sharet) and Danielle McEwan (Stony Point, NY/Stony Point) rolled games of 204, 195, 213 and 194 for a total score of 806. The Hawks bowled games of 222, 235, 186 and 201 for an 844 to defeat FDU as the tournament began.

Following the loss to UMES, the Knights rebounded with four straight wins to finish the day 4-1.

FDU took on Morgan State in match two. With scores of 214, 209, 231 and 193, the Knights recorded a score of 847. The Bears bowled games of 201, 193, 139 and 167 for a total 700, which enabled the Knights to move to an even 1-1 on the day.

In match three, FDU faced Howard University. Scores of 194, 190, 235 and 194 led the Knights to a total score of 813. The Bison bowled games of 207, 148, 173 and 153 for a 681.

Match four ended with a tiebreaker modified Baker match between the Knights and the Pirates of Hampton University. After bowling scores of 138, 180, 154 and 216 and seeing the Pirates bowl 155, 167, 162 and 204, both teams held a total score of 688. In the modified Baker match, the Knights edged Hampton, 109-63, to take a 797-751 win.

In the final match of the day, the Knights matched up with North Carolina A&T. Scores of 196, 182, 190 and 215 helped lead the Knights to a 782-650 win over NCA&T. The Aggies bowled games of 143, 143, 169 and 195.

UMES leads the pack after the first day of competition with a 5-0 record and a total pinfall of 4,324. New Jersey City University ranks second with a pinfall of 4,200, while host Delaware State and St. Francis Brooklyn are ahead of the Knights with pinfalls of 4,091 and 4,019, respectively. 

Saturday's competition will consist of five traditional matches. After two days of play, a three-game playoff round will determine the tournament champion.