Vanderbilt continues its 2018-19 season Friday through Sunday in Arlington, Tex., at the Prairie View A&M Invitational. The USBC’s outstanding International Training and Research Center is the host facility.
Competing teams and national rankings
Prairie View hosts a terrific tournament and accordingly attracts a who’s-who of programs. This year’s field includes 10 of the Top 11 ranked teams: Arkansas State (No. 4), Fairleigh Dickinson (7), Maryland-Eastern Shore (8), McKendree (1), Nebraska (2), North Carolina A&T (11), Prairie View, Sam Houston (5), Stephen F. Austin (10), Texas Southern, Tulane (6) and Vanderbilt (3). A new NTCA national poll is coming next week.
About the tournament
Vanderbilt has attended this tournament for years and while it has usually been in the championship mix, its only tournament title came in 2012 – the year Brittni Hamilton had her school-record 300 game. The Commodores finished second in 2017 and 2014 and third in 2016. Last year the Dores were fourth despite bowling well; it was a case of several opponents bowling even better on Sunday. Maria Bulanova and Jordan Newham finished third and fifth, respectively, earning all-tournament accolades.
Timeline and formats
Friday: 12:15 p.m. CST Five, 5-Game Baker matches.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. Six traditional games
Sunday: 8:25 a.m. One remaining traditional game
9:50 a.m. Two rounds of best four of seven Baker games
Daily warm-ups are 30 minutes prior to listed times.
Following the tournament
Vanderbilt will live stream the tournament on its YouTube page (and on occasion, Facebook Live). Results are posted on @VandyBowling Facebook and Twitter accounts and a daily recap will appear on VUCommodores.com.
Last time out
The Commodores could never get in the groove in Pennsylvania and snapped their two-tournament winning streak by placing fifth at the Kutztown Invitational two weeks ago.
Travel squad
The Commodores will travel the same eight student-athletes as have made the last several trips: Maria Bulanova, Angelique Dalesandro, Samantha Gainor, Bryanna Leyen, Jordan Newham, Kristin Quah, Emily Rigney, Adel Wahner.
