Feb. 18, 2018
HOUSTON-Maria Bulanova came through in the clutch as Vanderbilt edged Maryland-Eastern Shore for fifth place Sunday at the Stompin’ Ladyjack Classic.
The Vanderbilt anchor spared, then struck in the 10th frame to allow the Commodores to win the seventh and deciding game by a scant two pins, 194-192, after what had been a back and forth struggle. Vandy had trailed the No. 8 ranked Hawks, 3-2, in the best of seven before rallying to victory.
Earlier in the day, Vanderbilt had downed No. 9 ranked Tulane, 4-2, behind excellent performances by Kristin Quah and Bulanova, and then dropped a 4-1 game to third-ranked Arkansas State that would have pushed the Black and Gold into the third place match.
Among the Commodore highlights was the all-tournament performance of freshman Samantha Gainor, who became the fifth Vanderbilt bowler this season to make a tourney all-star team.
Coach John Williamson liked the resiliency of his team today, especially in light of an unusual circumstance that became apparent in the warmups.
“There was a problem with the lane machine (that applies the oil pattern) and the lanes throughout the house were completely different,” he noted. “It made it very difficult by the end of the day just to keep the ball right of the headpin. The lanes side by side played different.
“What I liked about our response is that we came in with a plan based upon three days of playing and we realized everything was different. For a moment our folks panicked a little but we preached to them that just because conditions are supposed to be one way doesn’t mean that’s the way it is. We needed to adjust. They bought into the new, improvised plan and we were successful.”
Williamson also liked how Bulanova bounced back from a disappointing opportunity to extend the Arkansas State match by cashing in against UMES when the pressure was intense. He also noted Adel Wahner’s supurb play off the bench for the second straight day and Jordan Newham’s improved final game after earlier struggles.
The Commodores are next in action at Monmouth’s Hawk Flight in Egg Harbor, N.J. March 2.
