GLEN ALLEN, Va. – The Norfolk State bowling team began its 2019-20 season by going 5-7 at the Virginia Union Invitational over the weekend at Bowl America Short Pump.
 
The Spartans finished seventh out of 11 teams following Sunday's bracket round. They were eighth in terms of pin average following the conclusion of the first two rounds on Friday and Saturday.
 
NSU posted a 2-3 record on Friday during Baker play and then won one of its four matches in traditional play on Saturday. The Spartans picked up a pair of wins over Fayetteville State on Sunday to close out the tournament.
 
Play started with a pair of Baker losses to Fayetteville State (837-758) and Bowie State (688-660), followed by a victory against Virginia State by a 706-673 margin. Friday ended with a loss to Howard, 893-813, and a win over Virginia Union, 778-681.
 
The Spartans had a bye during the first match on Saturday, but they suffered three straight setbacks after that. It included matches against Chestnut Hill (916-792), Mount St. Mary's (964-785) and Wilmington (942-857). The day did end with a win over another MEAC school, Coppin State, by an 861-795 score.
 
Norfolk State had to win its last three games to come away with a 4-3 victory over Fayetteville State in a best-of-seven series in the bracket round on Sunday. The Spartans had won the first game, fell in the next three, but used scores of 175, 200 and 181 to come away with the win.
 
Mount Aloysius handed NSU a 4-1 loss in the next round, and the Spartans faced Fayetteville State again in the final round. This time, they jumped out to a 2-0 lead and won the last two games for a 4-2 victory, posting at least a 180 in each of those four wins.
 
Freshman Megan Wheat had games of 211 and 181 and averaged 173.8 in five games during traditional play on Saturday. Sophomore Trinity Gray rolled a 204 in the final game when NSU defeated Coppin State. She averaged 167.0 in four games.
 
Freshman Jasmin Hudson averaged 165.7 in three games, and freshman Chanel Staton bowled in all five games with a 163.4 average. Sophomore Crystal Brewer competed in all five games, and sophomore Dieonjonai Haupt saw time in three games as well.
 
Norfolk State will compete in the first MEAC meet of the year this Friday through Sunday up in Maryland.