Big Comeback Puts Bowlers Second

Feb. 17, 2008

PERRY HALL, Md. — Vanderbilt returned to form this weekend at the Morgan State Bowling Invitational but its strong rally fell short as it placed second to Nebraska in the 32-team field.

The Commodores, 60-20 on the season, went 9-1 over the two day competition and 4-1 in Sunday’s Baker games.

“We never go into a tournament hoping to finish second,” said Coach John Williamson, “but going 9-1 and finishing second in this talented field was all positive at this point in the schedule. There were some real encouraging things; we were down 32 pins to Southern in our fourth game and put some shots together to win. We were 58 pins down to FDU heading into the last game and came within a whisker of catching them. I like that spirit.”

Tara Kane made the all-tournament team and finished third individually with her 216.6 average, less than a pin per game behind Nebraska’s first-place Lindsay Baker. Michelle Peloquin was seventh at 208 and Josie Earnest ninth at 205.5.

During Sunday’s Baker games, the Commodores used a rotation of Kane, Ashley Belden, Karen Grygiel, Peloquin and Earnest except for the Sacred Heart game when freshman Ellen Morrison replaced Belden.

A year ago Vanderbilt was fourth at this event in a field of 24 teams. Its next competition is March 1 at the Holiday Classic in Bessemer, Ala., where it is defending champion.

Top Four Teams (32 Entered):

Nebraska 9,247
Vanderbilt 8,945
Maryland-Eastern Shore 8,918
Fairleigh Dickinson 8,911

Sunday’s Baker Action (4-Game Sets):

Vanderbilt defeated Hampton, 797-670

189-179, 211-141, 173-188, 224-162

Vanderbilt defeated Kutztown, 761-683

178-176,193-162,179-182, 211-163

Vanderbilt defeated Sacred Heart, 775-719

237-171, 140-157, 216-212, 182-179

Vanderbilt defeated Southern, 793-783

204-212, 207-224, 179-186, 203-161

FDU defeated Vanderbilt, 813-824

214-194,193-213, 179-237, 227-180