Bowling Notebook - McKendree

FAIREVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. — Reigning NCAA champion Vanderbilt bowling opens its 2018-19 season this Friday through Sunday in Fairview Heights, Ill., at the McKendree Bearcat Hammer Invitational.  The St. Clair Bowl is the host facility.
 
Competing teams and ranking: The top three preseason teams and four of the top five are in action: Arkansas State (No. 5), Central Missouri (18), Drury, Kentucky Wesleyan, Lewis, Lincoln Memorial (14), Lincoln, Maryville (22), McKendree (2), Nebraska (3), North Carolina A&T (11), North Central, Prairie View A&M, Vanderbilt (1), Valparaiso and Wisconsin-Whitewater (21).  
 
About the tournament:  This is just McKendree’s third home tournament and marks the second time Vanderbilt has participated. A year ago the Commodores were inconsistent, winning all five Friday matches, losing three of four on Saturday before winning all three Sunday Bakers to place third. Kristin Quah averaged 215 in team play to make the all-tournament team.
 
Timeline and formats:  Friday’s five 5-Game Bakers will begin at 9:30 a.m. CDT.  Saturday’s five team games begin at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday’s bracket Bakers will be at 8:30 a.m. Daily warm-ups are 30 minutes prior these times.
 
Following the tournament: McKendree will not offer a live stream; Vanderbilt plans to stream over its YouTube page (and on occasion, Facebook Live) but the WiFi signal inside the St. Clair Bowl a year ago was not adequate for such a stream. Results are posted on @VandyBowling Facebook and Twitter accounts and a daily recap will appear on VUCommodores.com.
 
That was then, this is now: Vanderbilt’s last time out was April 14 just a few miles west of Fairview Heighs at the St. Louis Tropicana Lanes, a night that lives in the memories of Vanderbilt fans for delivering the program’s second national championship. The Commodore coaches have reminded the veteran team to file that memory away and understand in a new year, the program will get every opponent’s best effort.
 
Brogan out with mono:  Vanderbilt freshman Brogan Zengel has been out with mononucleosis and won’t make the trip. Fellow freshman Angelique Dalesandro will make her collegiate debut on this otherwise seasoned unit.
 
Next win is No. 1,100:  Vanderbilt enters the season with an all-time won-loss record of 1,099-510, a .683 percentage. That record improves to 1,087-447, a .708 winning clip, in matches featuring Vanderbilt rosters with scholarship student-athletes.
 
Travel squad mini-bios:  
Maria Bulanova: A two-time All-American who led the nation last season in 10th frame Baker double percentage (58.21%), was sixth in strike percentage, third in anchor 10th frame doubles and was seventh in overall scoring (20.678)
 
Angelique Dalesandro: The newcomer making her debut; had the opportunity to bowl in last week’s scrimmage with Arkansas State and performed well.
 
Samantha Gainor: Sophomore who averaged 19.98 in traditional play and 19.59 in Bakers as a freshman;  gritty competitor who is remembered by Vandy fans for her quality lead-off work in the NCAA title game.
 
Bryanna Leyen: A junior who performed well last year when called upon; her 276 at Arkansas State equals the 13th best game in program history.
 
Jordan Newham: One of the team leaders and one of just two seniors on the roster; was part of 300 Baker game last season at Kutztown.  Averaged 19.55 in Baker and 19.46 in team games last season.
 
Kristin Quah: Earned All-American mention three times; one of the nation’s top single pin spare makers – third last season at a 94.4% clip.  Won the NCAA Elite 90 Award at NCAA tournament for her 3.95 gpa in electrical and biomedical engineering.  Was eighth in overall scoring average last year (210.24)
 
Emily Rigney: Junior southpaw who ended an inconsistent season a year ago as the Co-MVP at the NCAA Championship.  Averaged 18.98 in 692 frames as a sophomore.  Made the all-tournament team at Monmouth.
 
Adel Wahner: Made the Junior Team USA over the summer and arguably the hardest worker on the team; one of the NCAA’s best at filling frames.  Coaches praise her consistency. Likes classical music, which probably makes her unique among her bowling peers.