Dec. 3, 2006
Read More: Bowlers Ranked Second in Latest Poll
Karen Grygiel finished second in the individual standings as the Commodores won their second straight tournament.
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GREENWOOD, MS— Vanderbilt enjoyed perhaps its best day of bowling in its brief program history today and it paid off with a stirring victory at the Mississippi Valley State Invitational.
The Commodores, 28-4 on the season, averaged over 200 today in four Baker game sets, enough to overcome a 156 pin tie-breaker deficit to edge Nebraska by 11 pins for the title.
“We went lights out, the day was incredible,” said Coach John Williamson. “We were probably in the best attack mentality we’ve been in from the beginning. The team knew it was going to make it a contest. We sent a message in our first game with an 1,109 score that we were going to compete.”
Williamson moved his lineup around for the first time this fall and the change paid big dividends.
“We moved the lineup around and had Karen Grygiel bowl anchor,” Williamson noted. “She was fantastic; the shot played to Karen’s strength and once again she was able to take advantage of it. As a whole, everybody was on it today. Total team effort, put people in positions they weren’t comfortable with and everyone excelled.
Grygiel was second in the individual standings by a mere pin to Husker All-American Amanda Burgoynne, 851-850. In the process she made the all-tournament team for the second straight event, joined on that honor squad by Commodore freshman Josie Earnest.
Another modification in today’s lineup was the insertion of Kaitlin Reynolds into the rotation in place of southpaw Mandy Keily.
“Sometimes the lanes just set up to where there isn’t a good opportunity for a left-hander and that was the case here. I was proud of Kaitlin for coming through so well but the real pleasing thing to me is that we have the depth to be able to make such a move. Back in Wisconsin, Mandy won the individual championship so this was just a matter of playing to our strengths.”
Grygiel said her teammates played a major role in her outstanding performance.
“I found out after our morning warm-ups that I was being moved to anchor and to be honest, I was a little nervous about it,” Grygiel admitted. “This was my best tournament yet in college. Everyone was supportive of me and that helped me believe in myself. They were constantly cheering me on. The coach showed great confidence in me – he told me he knew I would come through.”
Grygiel has been perhaps the team’s hottest bowler in the fall season and she says experience is a big reason.
“I’m feeling more confident this fall; feel like my equipment and my timing have meshed together. Last year as a freshman we were adjusting to new equipment and a new routine. This year it’s easier to relax and focus because we are getting in a groove.”
Grygiel was not surprised the team made up the tie-breaker deficit today.
“We knew where we were and took it one frame at a time; everyone took their time and was patient,” she said. “Steady wins the race. We wanted to throw one good shot after another and we didn’t really think about the tie-breaker deficit. We knew we had 20 baker games and while 150 pins sounds like a lot, it isn’t.”
A new poll from the National Ten Pin Coaches Association is due out soon and Vanderbilt, rated fourth in the first release, is expected to climb after a strong third place finish in Wisconsin and back-to-back championships at Maryland-Eastern Shore and here in Mississippi.
Vanderbit 1109 (bye game)
226
222
211
247
203
Vanderbilt 1004 Jackson State 854
189
192
195
222
206
Vanderbilt 979 Louisiana Tech 898
176
230
234
190
149
Vanderbilt 911 Minnesota State 831
192
159
177
167
216
