Vanderbilt and Arkansas State, the only two programs to ever win the Southland Bowling League championship, got their seasons underway with a non-counting, low key scrimmage in Vanderbilt’s Student Rec Center facility on Sunday.
There was no official scoring kept during the nearly three-hour session in which the traditional powers played a team game, a five-game Baker match and a best-of-seven Baker series.
The reigning national champion Commodores freely mixed and matched their lineups throughout the afternoon, in part to give their newcomers a chance to get into a collegiate rotation with little at stake.
“The goal was mostly to get our feet wet with the freshmen,” said veteran Adel Wahner, who made the coveted Team USA roster over the summer. “Let them see what things are going to look like when the regular season begins.”
Senior Kristin Quah elaborated on Vandy’s scrimmage goals.
“There were a few things we were looking at coming in,” Quah said. “Some of us haven’t competed in a long time – I haven’t bowled a tournament since May — so it was good getting back into that mindset and tournament environment. Getting used to being there, it was a good chance to get everybody in, we don’t get a lot of chances to do that so everyone had a chance to build some confidence. I think a lot of people began the afternoon with some nerves and then loosened up, which was the point. We ended up bowling pretty well in the best-of-seven set, and that’s something to look forward to this season.”
Although the Commodores did not emphasize the scrimmage, the natural competitive juices were flowing and Quah’s mention of jitters was well-founded.
“I think pretty much everyone had some nerves. I know I did,” said Samantha Gainor, who was one of the stars in last April’s national championship game.
Vanderbilt coaches John Williamson and Josie Barnes used virtually every lineup combination imaginable and were pleased with what transpired in the scrimmage.
“I think overall it was pretty positive,” said Barnes, who was promoted to Associate Head Coach this offseason. “It was more of a test for our younger kids, getting their feet wet.
“For the most part, our spares were pretty good and that’s what we have been harping on in the early season. We had a little chat between the five-game Baker and the four-of-seven because it was ultimately the lack of spare shooting that cost us the five-game match. We worked through and changed our mindset and if you looked at the scores, they went up about 30 or 35 pins. That’s a positive that we could turn it around that quickly; that’s something some of our past teams struggled with, being able to turn it on. Everybody got to touch it in some form or fashion and that was the plan. They all had some bright moments.”
Noting the team’s apparent depth and experience, Barnes said she is looking forward with interest to what the lineup will be in two weeks when the season official opens at McKendree’s Hammer Invitational on Oct. 26 in Fairview Heights, Ill.
