YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The No. 3 Vanderbilt bowling team won all five of its matches on Day 1 of the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic Friday and is currently ranked second in the team standings.
“It was a solid first day with some competitive matches,” head coach John Williamson said. “We found opportunities to make shots when they were important. The energy and team dynamic were outstanding all day—really a tribute to the upperclassmen for setting the standard. I thought Alyssa (Ballard), Dannielle (Henderson) and Katelyn (Abigania) were very good today.”
Vanderbilt amassed 5,266 pins on the day, averaging 210.6 pins per game. The Commodores trail top-seeded Nebraska, No. 2 in the NTCA preseason poll, by 138 pins.
The Dores got their day started with a 1,016-980 win over defending national champion Youngstown State. To start the match, Vandy utilized a lineup of Victoria Varano, Haley Lindley, Alyssa Ballard, Katelyn Abigania and Dannielle Henderson.
Vanderbilt recorded dominant wins over Western Illinois (1,016-878) and Lewis (1,041-865). Midway through the match vs. Western Illinois, Sydney Bohn entered the lineup for Lindley.
In Vandy’s tightest match of the day, the Commodores bested No. 20 Wright State, 1,011-996. The Raiders took the opening game, 214-182, but Vandy responded with 57-point win in game 2, 267-225 to take the lead in the match.
The Dores ended their day with a 1,182-1,039 win over Mercyhurst.
Action continues Saturday morning at 8:25 a.m. CT when Vanderbilt faces 12th-ranked Duquesne 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.
