HOUSTON, Texas | Alabama State picked up a pair of wins on the opening day of the Track Kat Klash hosted by Sam Houston, including a win over No. 17 Central Missouri on Friday.

Alabama State (19-12) faced three ranked opponents and another receiving votes on the first day of competition, dropping their first match of the day to No. 15 Maryville 1,048-893. They picked up their first win of the day over Central Missouri 837-832, before dropping their second match of the day to No. 6 Sam Houston 982-816 – the third consecutive match against a ranked opponent.

After dropping a match to Southern (870-809), the Lady Hornets picked up a win over Valparaiso – a team receiving votes in the national poll – 976-950 to close out day one.

Alabama State returns to action on Friday in traditional play, opening the day against No. 9 Louisiana Tech. They will also face No. 18 Lincoln Memorial and top-ranked Nebraska, before closing the day against Alabama A&M and Jackson State.

ABOUT EMERALD BOWL
Emerald Bowl has been home to some significant events in NCAA history, with the very first women's bowling championships in 2004 played at the facility where Nebraska defeated Central Missouri. In 2006, the championships returned to Emerald Bowl when Fairleigh Dickinson defeated Alabama A&M.

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