HARAHAN, La.—Jax State won its first match of the 2026 Conference USA Bowling Championship on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over 12^th-seeded Valparaiso in a Mega Match.
 
The Gamecocks picked up the first point with a 1,234-858 win in the traditional match with all five players posting 200+ games. Sophomore Erin Klemencic led the way with a 255, followed by freshman Kaitlyn Stull's 254 and classmate Gianna Brandolino's 246.
 
Valparaiso led briefly in the Baker five-game total pinfall after posting 230 in the first round to Jax State's 218, but the Gamecocks fired back with a 257 in the second and a 248 in the third to regain control. A 1,128-940 final margin punched Jax State's ticket to the quarterfinal round.
 
The Gamecocks will enjoy a second-round bye and will bowl again on Friday at 9 a.m. against the winner of the Nebraska vs. LA Tech match tomorrow.