March 30, 2016
Vanderbilt’s bowling team was selected Wednesday to compete for the NCAA Bowling Championship April 14-16 in New Brunswick, NJ. And the four Commodore seniors know what to expect.
“Besides our freshman year, this is the best feeling we’ve had heading into the nationals,” said veteran Tori Ferris. “This is even better than our freshman year; we’ve all been working really hard and have the same goals in mind.”
The NCAA Bowling Committee announced the eight-team field and Vanderbilt’s inclusion marks the 11th consecutive year the Commodores have made an appearance in the national championship. Nebraska, Arkansas State, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, McKendree, Central Missouri and North Carolina A & T were also selected.
The field did not surprise the Commodores.
“The eight teams were what we had pretty much figured by the end of the regular season,” said Amanda Fry. “These teams began to distinguish themselves. It’s a tough field for sure and to be successful we’ll have to bring our A-Game. We’ve put in countless hours on the lanes, in tournaments, off the lanes and in the weight room so we are prepared.”
All-American Robyn Renslow knows the experiences her teammates have had in prior tournaments should pay dividends. The seniors were freshmen when Vandy lost in the championship match to Nebraska.
“Something we’ve discussed is that we need to be us, we need to be normal,” she notes. “That will help control our emotions. If we are competing the way we know how, that’s the way we’re gonna produce.”
Fry notes the Commodores’ “great team chemistry” and cites Vandy’s two victories this season (Fairleigh Dickinson and Monmouth tournaments) on the same championship facility lanes as one reason for confidence.
Vanderbilt has won one national championship (2007) and had two runner-up finishes (2011 and 2013) among its previous appearances. It is currently rated third nationally with a season record of 101-37.
The tournament will be held in the Brunswick Zone Carolier.