Oct. 28, 2017
Vanderbilt’s bowling team started its day cooler than the chilly exterior northwest breeze and there was never enough of a warming trend to change the Commodore fortunes Saturday at the Brunswick Bearcat Open.
The result at this talent-laden event was a 1-3 won-loss worksheet on the day and a sixth place finish on two-day pin fall, which eliminates the fourth-ranked Black and Gold from a shot at winning the tournament. The best Vandy can finish tomorrow in the three-game Baker best of seven format is third and it will need a better performance to hope for that.
Vanderbilt bowlers and coaches huddled throughout the day in an attempt to get on-track and it changed its lineup a few times despite having just six players on this trip. Things never clicked longer than a few brief frames.
“The shot was difficult but I think we made it a lot harder than it actually was,” said Coach John Williamson. “We lacked shot discipline. Our first shots were erratic and that makes it hard to make adjustments. When we adjusted it seemed we were already in a hole. Let’s chalk it up to a learning experience, it shows where we need to work.”
The lone, consistent bright spot for Vanderbilt was junior Kristin Quah, who finished sixth individually after crafting games of 214-237-248-204-172. What people will remember most about Quah’s day was her stunning spare conversion of the 7-10 split — probably more rare than a 300 game. If you glanced away or blinked, you missed it, just like Quad did!
Quah took the traditional route for a right-handler in the conversion – aiming for and seemingly settling for just the 10 pin, something seen hundreds if not thousands of times during a year. However, this time the 10-pin took a crazy ricochet off the back wall, knocking down the 7 and producing high fives and hugs from the Commodore teammates.
“It was really amazing,” Quad gushed. “This is the first time I’ve done it in a tournament. Pity I didn’t see it though. (She had turned her back on the action.) It is just the second time I’ve ever done it in my life.
“I personally felt good for the majority of the day,” Quah continued. “I felt relaxed, I didn’t worry about things. My spares haven’t been good lately but today was better. And I had a good shape, once you can see the ball moving in the right shape it makes life easier.”
Vanderbilt’s day began with a disappointing upset at the hands of unranked Lincoln Memorial. It had a bye in the second round (the score counted in standings) and then it was edged out by a good Maryland-Eastern Shore team, 1,001-989. The lone win came against ranked North Carolina A&T followed by a loss to Nebraska, 1,001-958.
A common thread in all three defeats was an opponent that blistered the lanes. Lincoln’s Danny Terry enjoyed a 267; UMES anchor Jacqueline Rhoda torched the lanes with a closing nine strikes in a row for a 257 and Nebraska’s Kelly Belzeski was lights out with 11 strikes during her 279.
The Sunday bracket games start at 8:30 (Central) with Vandy starting in a rematch with the UMES Hawks.
(Editor’s Note: WiFi issues continue inside the St. Clair Bowl and fans should not anticipate things improving for tomorrow’s play we are sorry to report.)
