March 15, 2012
Columbia 300 MCC Week
Vanderbilt hosts its annual Music City Classic Friday through Sunday at the Smyrna Bowling Center. It promises to be a very challenging event with nine of the nation’s Top 10 and 15 of the Top 20 teams competing.
Tourney facts
Friday, 11:30 a.m. (CDT) – Six, 4-game Baker matches
Saturday, Noon – Six traditional team games
Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – Championship Baker bracket
Tournament field
Adelphi, Alabama A&M, Alabama-Birmingham, Arkansas State, Central Missouri, Fairleigh Dickinson, Kutztown, Louisiana Tech, Monmouth, Nebraska, New Jersey City, Prairie View, Saint Francis (NY), Sacred Heart, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, Tulane, Valparaiso, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Last Year
Nebraska defeated Fairleigh Dickinson, 4-1, to win the championship. Central Missouri topped host Vanderbilt in the consolation finals. FDU’s Danielle McEwan was the tournament Most Valuable Player. Vanderbilt had a 300 Baker game against Central Missouri.
Quoting Coach John Williamson
“This has become one of the strongest tournaments in the country. It’s one of the last, if not the last, tournaments before the NCAA Championship so teams have different incentives as they arrive here. Some teams on the bubble are fighting for that edge to get them into the championship field, others are trying to polish their game. Except for Maryland-Eastern Shore and Norfolk State, that have a conference tournament conflict, we have the top 13 rated teams and traditionally these are the types of team chosen for the NCAA championship. That makes this a terrific tournament.”
New Poll Just Released
1. Fairleigh Dickinson
2. Arkansas State
3. Nebraska
4. Vanderbilt
5. Maryland-Eastern Shore
6. Valparaiso
7. Central Missouri
8. Sacred Heart
9. Sam Houston State
10T Stephen F. Austin
10T Norfolk State
Commodore News
Two Commodores that have been on the injured list the entire spring have been cleared for competition by Vanderbilt trainers. Junior Sarah O’Brien and freshman Nicole Mosesso will both be available for duty, although Coach John Williamson says he expects to use them sparingly as they round back into competitive shape.