Commodore Notebook: Warhawk Open

Vanderbilt continues its 2018-19 season Friday through Sunday in Milwaukee at the Warhawk Open, hosted by Wisconsin-Whitewater.  The AMF West Bowl is the host facility.
 
Competing teams and national rankings:  
 
Ranked teams in this field that did not compete in at McKendree’s Hammer Open include Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, Fairleigh Dickinson and LIU-Brooklyn. 
 
Adelphi (15), Arkansas State (5), Central Missouri (18), Elmhurst, Fairleigh Dickinson (9), Lewis, Lincoln Memorial (14), LIU Brooklyn (19), Lincoln, Maryville (22), McKendree (2), Nebraska (3), North Central College, Stephen F. Austin (6), Sam Houston (4), Vanderbilt (1), Valparaiso, Wisconsin Whitewater (21), Youngstown State
 
About the tournament:  This is the fourth time Vanderbilt has traveled to a Whitewater tournament and the third year in a row, although this is the first time the event will be held in Milwaukee.  Two years ago VU was fourth, last season it was third.  Maria Bulanova won her first college tournament here last year.  Arkansas State is defending champion.
 
Timeline and formats:  Friday’s five, 5-Game Bakers will start at 11:05 a.m. CT.  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:  Vanderbilt will livestream over its YouTube page (and on occasion, Facebook Live). Results are posted on VandyBowling Facebook and Twitter accounts and a daily recap will appear on this web site.
 
Last time out: The Commodores opened their season two weeks ago at the Bearcat Hammer Open with a second place finish, winning nine of 13 matches.  Maria Bulanova was second individually, Kristin Quah fourth and Adel Wahner seventh. 
 
Travel squad mini-bios:  
 
Maria Bulanova – finished a “quiet” second at season opening Bearcat Hammer Open with a 219.60 average that was built more on consistency than a few monster games…one of the NCAA’s most dangerous Baker double anchors…was critical of her own play in McKendree’s bracket Bakers in which she felt she never got into the right rhythm.
 
Angelique Dalesandro – made her collegiate debut at McKendree, throwing a strike on her first attempt…got into the rotation for one game with a 155 result.
 
Samantha Gainor – was among the individual leaders at Bearcat Hammer until tailing off the last game to place 16th with a 204.80 average over five games…was used mostly in the No. 3 spot in rotation in both Bakers and team games.
 
Bryanna Leyen – saw limited action at McKendree but can be a potent force as her 276 at Arkansas State attests.
 
Jordan Newham – bowled well in the season opener from the leadoff position, especially during the Baker matches.
 
Kristin Quah – was fourth at McKendree with a 217.80 average and was steady throughout the many Baker matches in the No. 4 hole of rotation.
 
Emily Rigney – a lefty who didn’t find the aging lanes at McKendree’s St. Clair Bowl to her liking…has had many flashes of brilliance during her two years as a Commodore. 
 
Adel Wahner – was seventh individually at the Hammer Open two weeks ago with a 211.60 average…was used in the 2-hole at McKendree where her consistency is seen as a big help in the lineup.
 
Brogan Zengel – a freshman making her traveling debut after recovering from a bout with mono…highly regarded southpaw with a quality junior resume.