Feb. 14, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt hopes to begin its recovery from a disappointing January this weekend against a large and talented field of 32 bowling teams which comprise the Morgan State Invitational.
“This is an excellent tournament with many of the Top 20 teams competing,” says Commodore Coach John Williamson. “We’ll each play six team games Saturday and five Baker games Sunday with total pins producing the tournament champion.”
The Commodores were rated third in the most recent poll conducted by the National Ten Pin Coaches Association after struggling during January contests in Arkansas and Missouri.
A year ago, Vanderbilt was fourth at this event in a field of 24. Josie Earnest led the `Dores that weekend with a fourth place individual finish while Karen Grygiel was fifth and Tara Kane 12th.
Those three will be joined on this year’s trip by Michelle Peloquin, Ashley Belden and Ellen Morrison.
Warm-ups begin Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Brunswick Perry Hall in Perry Hall, Md., and the team games will start shortly after. Sunday’s competition starts at 9 a.m. with the 4-game Baker matches. The tournament should conclude early Sunday afternoon.
February NTCA Poll:
1. University of Nebraska 47 – 12 – 0
2. Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore 78 – 19- 0
3. Vanderbilt University 51 – 19 – 0
4. Sacred Heart University 61 – 11 – 0
5. University of Central Missouri 52 – 18 – 0
6. Fairleigh Dickinson University 67 – 29 – 0
7. New Jersey City University 59 – 22 – 0
8. Arkansas State University 42 – 20 – 0
9. Alabama A&M University 47 – 17 – 0
T-10 Minnesota State University 40 – 16 – 0
T-10 Delaware State University 64 – 26 – 0
12. Jackson State University 44 – 23 – 0
13. Southern University 53 – 34 – 0
14. Adelphi University 44 – 49 – 0
15. University of Wisconsin – Whitewater 29 – 31 – 0
16. Fayetteville State University 60 – 7 – 0
17. St. Peter’s College 38 – 41 – 0
18. St. Paul’s College 64 – 37 – 0
19. St. Francis College 33 – 49 – 0
20. Bowie State University 64 – 38 – 0