NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The top-ranked Vanderbilt bowling team returns to action Friday at Sacred Heart’s Northeast Classic at Bowlerama in New Castle, Delaware.
The Commodores enter the spring season the nation’s top-ranked team after jumping three spots in the NTCA Coaches Poll from No. 4 in the preseason to No. 1 in the December poll. Vanderbilt also tops the NCAA’s RPI with a 41-10 won-loss record in the fall.
Fall rewind
During the 2024 fall season, Vandy earned top 5 finishes and placed at least one Commodore on the all-tournament team at all four of its tournaments. Vanderbilt also set a school record at the Ladyjack Classic in November when graduate student Isabel Allen, junior Alyssa Ballard, seniors Kailee Channell and Kaylee Hitt and sophomore Haley Lindley combined to bowl 1,237, which is the highest team traditional game in program history.
Dores on the national stage
Several Commodores competed in Reno, Nevada, at the U.S. Bowling Congress’ Team USA Trials and U.S. Amateur in early January. Freshman Saphyre Nofuente was the Dores’ top finisher, placing top 20 in the 85-woman U.S. Amateur Field. Fellow freshman Sydney Bohn earned a spot on Junior Team USA after the week of competition.
The weekend ahead
Vanderbilt will be joined by 37 teams, including Adelphi, No. 5 Arkansas State, Bryant, Chestnut Hill, No. 22 Delaware State, Dominican, No. 14 Duquesne, No. 23 Felician, Holy Family, Howard, No. 2 Jacksonville State, RV Kutztown, Long Island, No. 12 Louisiana Tech, No. 9 Maryville, No. 13 McKendree, No. 24 Mercyhurst, Molloy, Morgan State, No. 17 Mount Saint Mary’s, No. 3 Nebraska, RV Niagara, No. 10 North Carolina A&T, Norfolk State, No. 11 Sacred Heart, No. 8 Sam Houston, No. 6 Stephen F. Austin, No. 15 Tulane, No. 21 UAB, RV Central Missouri, No. 18 Maryland-Eastern Shores, No. 19 Merrimack, RV Valparaiso, Wagner, No. 7 Wichita State, William Smith, RV Wright State and No. 4 Youngstown. Twenty-two of the country’s top 25 teams will be competing in New Castle.
The Northeast Classic will follow a standard-NCAA tournament format.
- Five sets of five Baker matches Friday beginning at 9 a.m. CT
- Five Traditional games Saturday beginning at 8:25 a.m.
- Bracket play (three best-of-seven Baker matches) beginning at 7:25 a.m.
Vanderbilt will stream its matches on YouTube, and fans can follow Vanderbilt bowling on X at @VandyBowling for live updates.