Day One Standings
 
LIMERICK, Pa. – The 25th-ranked Kutztown University women's bowling team had a difficult opening portion of its schedule as it competed against three nationally-ranked opponents, including two in the top-five. KU went 2-3 on day one of the Kutztown Invitational at Limerick Bowl.
 
The Golden Bears (33-35 overall) began the day victorious over Medaille 897-868, but ran into a buzz-saw, falling to fifth-ranked Sam Houston State 951-839 and then No. 3 Vanderbilt 1004-944 in a highly-competitive and a 'who's-who'-type of tournament, featuring 19 of the nation's top-25 teams.
 
Kutztown bounced back in its fourth match taking down Youngstown State 973-953 before falling to its third ranked opponent of the day, University of Alabama Birmingham 1063-891 to round out day one's traditional-style matches. KU threw its three highest scores against Youngstown, rolling back-to-back-to-back 200-plus scores with a day-high score of 223 in the first game.
 
Junior Renee Riffey (Glen Burnie, Md./North County) had a team-high 19.7 frame average through 50 frames played. Sophomore Keanna Delp (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg Area) held an 18.9 average in 50 frames, while freshman Ashley Fister (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) rolled an average of 18.1 in 47 frames. Angela Kozma (Beachwood, N.J./Toms River South) was right there with a 17.8 frame average in 50 frames.
 
Kutztown sits in 23rd-place out of 28 teams entering day two Saturday of a three-day event.
 
It doesn't get any easier for KU as it will once again challenge itself by competing against four nationally-ranked opponents, tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 19, beginning with No. 4 Arkansas State at 9:55 a.m.