GLEN ALLEN, Va. – The ninth-ranked Fairleigh Dickinson women's bowling team started the Virginia Union Invitational with a strong first day, going 5-0 in its baker matches.
 
The Knights (14-4) sit in first place in the standings of the 20-team tournament with a pin average of 187.8 and a total of 4,694. FDU defeated host Virginia Union along with two MEAC schools and two Division II programs, winning four of its five matches by over 100 pins and two by over 200 pins.
 
Senior Amy Caruso, junior Brianna MacLeod and sophomore Jenna Henderson competed in all five victories for the Knights, with junior Samantha Hart, sophomores Amanda Chrzanowski and Deborah Epps, and freshman Lanasia Neal making big contributions as well.
 
"Continued improvement and a total team effort produced a successful day," head coach Mike LoPresti said after the day. "Amy stepped up, playing a very consistent anchor for most of the day. Jenna had a great day and was clutch throughout the day. Additionally, Lanasia and Sammy came off the bench and sparked rallies for us. All in all, it was a good day, and we'll need to build on it over the next couple of days to be able to bring home the prize."
 
The Knights started the day by defeating Howard, 952-823. FDU scored a bigger total in four of the five baker games. The Knights rolled a high of 205 in the second frame.
 
Against host Virginia Union, the Knights earned their biggest margin of victory in a 900-653 win. The match started with a 206 for FDU in the first frame, and the momentum carried into the second and third frames as well. The Burgundy and Blue closed out the match by rolling a 199 in the fifth frame. Hart came off the bench to help the Knights earn the win.
 
Epps and Neal also were in the lineup along with Caruso, MacLeod and Henderson as the Knights scored higher points in all five frames to defeat Morgan State, 987-758. The 987 was the highest total of the day for the Knights, getting stronger as the frames went with scores of 180, 180, 191, 222 and 214.
 
Against Felician, the Knights started strong by totaling a high of 223. FDU also earned higher totals in the final three frames to captured a 914-823 win in the match.
 
Wrapping up the day against Virginia State, the Knights took advantage of two strong final frames in gaining a 941-789 victory. The Burgundy and Blue rolled a 210 in the fourth frame and a 214 in the fifth game to outscore Virginia State by close to 70 pins in each frame, which proved the difference in earning the win.
 
The three-day tournament continues Saturday with five traditional team matches and concludes Sunday with a three-round baker playoff bracket. Check back here at fduknights.com for updates after the end of each day of competition.