FORT WORTH, Texas — The Vanderbilt bowling team, ranked No. 3 in the NTCA preseason poll, is seeded sixth in the team standings after the first day of qualifying at the Bulldog Classic in Fort Worth, Texas.
“It was a good day overall,” head coach John Williamson said. “The Louisiana Tech match got away from us. We need to be better at controlling our emotions and not let one mistake become two. We bounced back well to end the day, so I’m proud of the resilience.”
The Commodores amassed 5,137 pins over five Baker matches on Friday. Top-ranked Jacksonville State sits atop the leaderboard with 5,536 pins.
Using a lineup of Victoria Varano, Avery Domaguin, Alyssa Ballard, Katelyn Abigania and Dannielle Henderson, the Commodores cruised to a 1,148-934 win over Tulane in the opening round. Vanderbilt registered scores of 234, 194, 233, 221 and 266 vs. the Green Wave.
In round 2, Vandy defeated No. 2 Nebraska by a score of 981-943. After winning the first game, 191-155, the Huskers responded with two straight wins in games 2 and 3 to take a six-pin lead. The Commodores recorded back-to-back victories of their own in the next two games to win the match.
The Dores dropped their first match of the day vs. No. 9 Louisiana Tech by a score of 961-901 in round 3.
Vanderbilt bounced back with a dominant 1,016-924 victory over Florida A&M. The Commodores compiled games of 211, 201, 201, 200 and 203.
To end the day, the Commodores bested Jackson State, 1,091-904.
Vandy made a few lineup changes throughout the day, subbing in Haley Lindley for Domaguin in round 3. In the Dores’ win over Florida A&M, Sydney Bohn came off the bench for Varano.
Action at the Bulldog Classic continues Saturday at 11:25 a.m. when Vanderbilt faces Jacksonville State in the first of five traditional games.
Fans can watch the Dores’ matches live on YouTube and Facebook and follow Vanderbilt bowling on X and Instagram at @VandyBowling for updates.
