NEW ORLEANS, La. – Vanderbilt bowling earned a runner-up finish Sunday at the Colonial Lanes Classic after falling to Stephen F. Austin in the eight-game championship match.
“It’s disappointing not to finish, but this was a strong performance from our team, and we had contribution from the entire roster,” head coach John Williamson said. “The modified Baker setback will be something that we will learn from. Each event has gotten better this fall, and we have one more to go before our break.”
The Dores punched their ticket to the championship match after a 4-1 win over Stephen F. Austin in the day’s opening match. Vandy got off a 2-0 start, shooting 245 in Game 1, but faced a temporary setback as the Ladyjacks shot 234 in Game 3. The Dores quickly recovered to win the next two games and advance to the final.
Vanderbilt made quick work of Texas Southern with a 4-0 sweep in a second-round match that did not affect the tournament outcome.
The Commodores met Stephen F. Austin again in the championship match. The two squads traded wins after tying Game 1, which forced a modified Baker. In Games 4 and 6, Vandy posted impressive scores 270 and 269, respectively. The Ladyjacks pulled out a 104-72 win over the Dores in the tiebreaker to win the tournament title.
Alyssa Ballard and Kaylee Hitt were honored on the all-tournament team for their individual performances Saturday, which earned them fifth and ninth place, respectively.
Vanderbilt’s three-tournament road swing continues Friday when the team heads to Howell, New Jersey, for the Garden State Classic.
