READING, Pa.  (Jan. 30, 2011) – The Saint Francis University women's bowling team swept three Best-of-7 Baker Matches on Sunday to finish the Kutztown Invitational with a strong performance at Heister Lanes in Reading.

 

The Red Flash defeated Bethune Cookman (4-3), Hampton (4-2) and Florida A&M (4-2) to improve to 26-30 on the season. With its victory over Florida A&M, SFU finished 19^th of 28 teams in one of the deepest and most talented tournaments in NCAA bowling competition this season.

 

“This day was the result of a talented team making adjustments and showing great match play grit that has become our trademark,” said Saint Francis head coach Tom Falbo. “Going undefeated today against some very strong non-conference teams was a thrilling way to end our weekend.”

 

Saint Francis will return to action this weekend when it competes in the Northeast Conference #2, which will be hosted by Sacred Heart University on Saturday and Sunday.

 

Several Red Flash bowlers had strong weekends on the lanes, including a pair of freshman who were among the best in the field among rookies in Saturday's traditional team matches. Freshman Marissa Matassa (Plum, Pa./Plum Senior) placed seventh among all freshmen competing in the tournament with a six-game total pinfall of 1,152, and a 192 average. She took 36^th overall in the 185-player field.

 

Freshman Jennifer Mueller (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area) placed second among all freshman bowling less than six games on Saturday. Her five-game total pinfall was 947 for an average of 189 per game.

 

Freshman Heidi Baumert (Lincoln, Neb./Pius X) and senior Christina Medley (Altoona, PA/Altoona Area) finished 52^nd and 56^th, respectively.

 

“I am proud of my entire team, but Marissa's high placing doesn't fully reflect how well she bowled,” Falbo said. “Jennifer was at the top of her game and her great results speak to that. Heidi was great for us all weekend and Christina is a fine and steady bowler who is improving her overall tournament play.”

 

During Sunday's Best-of-7 Baker matches, the Red Flash avenged Saturday's loss to Bethune Cookman by coming away with a 173-170, 184-192, 184-156, 179-185, 145-163, 234-159, 210-172 tally.

 

SFU defeated Hampton 159-212, 180-154, 158-161, 173-151, 180-172 and 189-157, and then came away with a 165-153, 157-173, 158-175, 169-159, 180-179 and 214-191 win over Florida A&M.

 

For periodic women's bowling updates on Twitter, follow Director of Athletic Communications Bob Volkert at SFUVolkert.