Jan. 25, 2015
READING, PA.—Vanderbilt enjoyed its second straight day of upbeat play and won two of three games against highly regarded opponents in the process to place fifth at the Kutztown Invitational.
The Commodores split games with Arkansas State, losing in seven games in the opening match and sweeping the Red Wolves in the fifth place match a few hours later. In between, the Commodores reversed last week’s Sunday loss to Stephen F. Austin in a high scoring contest, winning 4-3.
Vandy’s Robyn Renslow made the all-tournament team based upon her fourth place finish in Saturday’s team game play.
“There were some positives we are taking from this weekend,” Coach John Williamson said after his team went 12-3 over the three days. “I liked the way we bounced back today after we lost momentum in the first game. Stephen F. Austin is very good and last week they beat us twice on Sunday. That we could stay poised after they ran off games of 248-235-268 on us was a plus. I thought this was a day when everyone had their good moments.”
The Commodores got off to fast starts in all three games. They held a 3-1 edge on ASU in the first game before the Red Wolves closed with games of 231-256-241. They bounced back against SFA and appeared on the verge of winning in four straight before a wild finish left Vandy one tiny pin behind at the finish, 248-247. Both teams finished strong in that game as would appear obvious.
It was back for a quick rematch with ASU and once again VU won the first game, this time by a scant three pins, 179-176. Vandy continued strong steady bowling while ASU struggled in its last two games for the quick win.
The Commodores began the day with a rotation of Katie Stark, Amanda Fry, Rebeca Requero, Giselle Poss and Robyn Renslow. In the seventh game of the first match, Tori Ferris and Natalie Goodman came in for Stark and Fry. In the last two games, Vanderbilt settled in on a lineup of Ferris, Stark, Reguero, Poss and Renslow.
Fairleigh Dickinson beat Central Missouri in the championship match; Maryland-Eastern Shore topped Wisconsin-Whitewater in the third place game.
Next week Vandy hits the road for the third straight weekend, heading to Dallas for Prairie View’s Invitational held in the International Training and Research Center.
Vanderbilt’s Sunday Results (Best of seven Bakers)
Arkansas State 4 VU 3
VU 188-157
VU 202-197
AS 226-211
VU 204-181
AS 231-190
AS 256-183
AS 245-189
VU 4 SFA 3
VU 244-225
VU 230-193
VU 226-183
SFA 248-247
SFA 235-204
SFA 268-174
VU 192-167
VU 4 Arkansas State 0
VU 179-176
VU 218-187
VU 192-167
VU 203-169
