MILLSBORO, Del. – The 16th-ranked Kutztown University women's bowling team won a pair of matches at Friday's opening day of the UMES Hawk Classic, highlighted by a six-pin victory in Friday's finale.

After the first of three days of competition, KU stands in 13th place out of 20 teams.
 
The Golden Bears (21-11) posted a 2-4 record, with their losses all coming against nationally-ranked competition. They opened the day with an 842-609 win over Coppin State, but suffered four straight setbacks to some of the top teams in the country.
 
KU fell to third-ranked Vanderbilt, 994-834, 20th-ranked Norfolk State by a narrow 882-871 final, 21st-ranked Tulane by a 985-902 final, and to fourth-ranked Sam Houston State, 1040-856.
 
Kutztown ended the day on a high note, taking down Norfolk in its second meeting of the day. KU trailed by 34 pins heading into the final frame, and posted its second straight 200+ game with a 213-173 win for the narrow six-pin win (920-914).

Sophomore Jenn Fitts (Birdsboro, Pa./Twin Valley) bowled 44 frames and led the way with an 18.9 frame average on Friday. Seniors Lauren Stamm (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) (18.7) and Kayla Maselkevich (Drums, Pa./Hazleton Area) (18.2) each posted averages more than 18 while bowling all 60 frames.
 
Freshman Renee Riffey (Glen Burnie, Md./North County) held a 16.2 average and senior captain Taylor Strothmann (Maywood, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy) rounded out the top-five with a 15.9.
 
Action resumes on Saturday, Nov. 21, beginning at 8:25 a.m.