NORFOLK, Va. – Following the first day of the Hampton Roads Invite, the Kutztown University women's bowling team sits in second place with 4,447 total pins after five traditional matches. The Golden Bears went 4-1, losing their first match of the year to the tournament leader, Monmouth University. 
 
In a tough first match, Kutztown beat Norfolk 860-839, following it up with a win against North Carolina A&T 949-843. During the third match, the Golden Bears struggled with lane transition, losing to Monmouth 858-956. With a few lineup changes, the Golden Bears bounced back with two wins to finish the day, shooting 876 against Virginia State's 799, and defeating St. Francis College (NY) 904-882. 
 
"It was a tough loss against Monmouth, but looking at the big picture, we're still in second place after only bowling average scores all day," head coach Joseph Ambrose said. "We still have a good chance to win this thing tomorrow." 
 
The team struggled consistently during competition as the lanes proved to be tougher than the average NCAA shot. Out of the roster of 11, nine girls were used at different times throughout the day. Seniors Deanna DiRado (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Salem) and Brooke Bower (Camp Hill, PA/Cedar Cliff) were the only two to bowl all five games, averaging 180.6 and 190.4, respectively. Bower shot 218 in the second match against North Carolina A&T, the highest game of the day for Kutztown. 
 
"Our team struggled today, but now we can learn from it and start fresh tomorrow," Bower said.
 
Competition resumes tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 27, with five best-of-seven baker matches.