Dec. 2, 2007
JACKSON, Miss. – Vanderbilt was hot but Nebraska was hotter Sunday as the top-ranked Commodores narrowly missed repeating as champion at the Capital City Classic. The No. 2 rated Huskers edged Vandy by 63 pins to take the title.
“The tournament unfolded almost precisely as we had anticipated,” Coach John Williamson summarized. “We knew it would be a high scoring shootout and when that happens, usually the team with the best bowling luck that day emerges as the winner. Nebraska was better than we were today. They caught a few more breaks and converted a difficult split in the 10th frame.
“You can’t play defense, you just do the best you can do,” Williamson continued. “We bowled well; we were a plus 350 (pins over 200 average) in the Baker games and were plus 148 in the last two games. We had actually pushed into first place with two games to play but Nebraska ended on a run.”
The third game of the four-game Baker sets proved decisive in both the positional round and the championship match with Nebraska. In their first match-up, the Huskers out-distanced VU by 54 pins and in the championship round, there was 56 pins difference between the two powerful squads.
Two Commodores made the five-woman all-tournament team. Josie Earnest and Michelle Peloquin joined Marissa Martinek and Samantha Morrison of Arkansas State and Ashley Blakely of Jackson State on the honor squad.
Vanderbilt, now 33-9, will be idle until January 18 when it competes in the Central Region Duals in Warrensburg, Mo.
Sunday Baker results
Vanderbilt 857 Jackson State 746
VU 194-182
VU 227-195
VU 202-185
VU 234-184
Vanderbilt 887 Grambling 733
G 199-197
VU 203-180
VU 258-179
VU 229-175
Nebraska 891-845
VU 217-209
VU 246-233
N 248-194
N 201-188
Nebraska 934 Vanderbilt 903 (championship game)
VU 234-214
VU 225-213
N 268-212
N 239-232
