Dec. 7, 2008
MIDLOATHIAN, Va. – Another tournament, another championship.
Vanderbilt’s powerful bowling team capped its fall schedule with its third championship in as many tournaments, winning the Saint Paul College Jeanette Lee Invitational Sunday after leading wire-to-wire.
On a weekend when 25 of Vanderbilt’s 30 individual games were over 200 and 13 over 225, junior Josie Earnest emerged with her first career collegiate individual title and won the Most Valuable Player Award in the process.
The 2008 national Player of the Year averaged a booming 236.5 pins in six games to win by a wide margin over Central Missouri’s Alyssa Surges. Tara Kane was also all-tournament while all five Commodore starters finished in the top 14 in this 19-team field of over 100 competitors.
“I think what we liked most about our weekend was our consistency,” Coach John Williamson said. “I think we’ve matured as a team this fall. In our first two tournaments the lane conditions were different from our expectations and it took us awhile to adjust. Yesterday we were also a bit surprised but our adjustment was quick and very effective.
“Today we began with a large lead,” Williamson continued, “and in the first Baker Central Missouri shot an amazing 1,003 a few lanes away from us – gaining 131 pins. However, we kept our poise and remained consistent – we were the most consistent team here and that paid off.”
Freshman Brittni Hamilton was 10th individually after a strong 217.6 average over five games, which included a season high 245 against Central Missouri. Michelle Peloquin was 12th with a 216..8 average over six games and Brittany Garcia was 14th at 211.6.
Amanda Halter and Karen Grygiel got into the fray in Saturday’s sixth game with 188 and 214 scores, respectively.
In Sunday’s Baker play, Vanderbilt averaged a sturdy 221 per game.
The Commodore’s record after going a perfect 10-0 on the weekend is 36-5. They return to action January 16 at the Mid-Winter Classic in Jonesboro, Ark.
Final Team Leader Board
Vanderbilt 11,015
Central Mo. 10,593
New Jersey City 10,445
All-Tournament Team (top five individuals)
Josie Earnest, Vanderbilt 236.5 (MVP)
Alyssa Surges, CMSU 226.5
Jenn Marmo, NJC 223.3
Tara Kane, Vanderbilt 221.3
Erica Perez, FDU 220.8
Vanderbilt’s Saturday Competition
Vanderbilt vs Bye (1,139)
Garcia 232
Peloquin 228
Kane 198
Hamilton 215
Earnest 266
Vanderbilt 1,070 North Carolina Central 828
Garcia 178
Peloquin 212
Kane 226
Hamilton 222
Earnest 232
Vanderbilt 1,108 Elmhurst 966
Garcia 213
Peloquin 245
Kane 217
Hamilton 201
Earnest 232
Vanderbilt 1,142 New Jersey City 988
Garcia 200
Peloquin 237
Kane 246
Hamilton 205
Earnest 254
Vanderbilt 1,142 Central Missouri 1,095
Garcia 235
Peloquin 179
Kane 237
Hamilton 245
Earnest 246
Vanderbilt 995 Saint Peters 813
Kane 204
Halter 188
Grygiel 214
Peloquin 200
Earnest 189
Sunday’s Vanderbilt Results
(4-Game Baker Sets)
Vanderbilt 870 Adelphi 799
Vanderbilt 890 Long Island Univ. 548
Vanderbilt 871 St. Francis 688
Vanderbilt 888 Elizabeth City St. 614
Vanderbilt 901 Bowie State 576
