STRUTHERS, Ohio — Vanderbilt bowling opened a new era under first-year head coach Josie Barnes with a 5-0 performance on the first day of the the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic hosted by Youngstown State Friday at the Holiday Bowl, with the Commodores finishing second in the overall pin standings at the end of play.
One of two teams to go undefeated in the day’s Baker match format, Vandy recorded the high score in both the third and fourth rounds en route to a 5,291 total.
“I thought today was as good of a start as you could ask for on Day 1 of a season,” said Barnes after her debut as the program’s head coach. “We had a strong schedule today and the girls stuck to their systems for the most part. I think the match against N.C. A&T was a growth moment. It’s rare to see three games back-to-back-to-back that high, but they committed to their shots and took advantage of that pair.
“That being said, we’ll go back and evaluate the day and clean up the spots that held us back at the end of the day.”
The Dores—who opened No. 2 in the preseason poll—began play with a 1,032-984 victory over fourth-ranked Arkansas State, holding off the Red Wolves after entering the final game with an eight-pin advantage. No. 18 Mount St. Mary’s took a lead after three games, only to see Vandy respond to close out a 1,001-925 win in its second match of the morning featuring a lineup of Natalie Kent, Dannielle Henderson, Avery Domaguin, Saphyre Nofuente and Katelyn Abigania.
Haley Lindley entered the Commodores’ rotation as the group put together scores of 268, 267 and 256 over the final three games in defeating ninth-ranked North Carolina A&T, 1,169-1,085, carrying that momentum into a matchup with No. 1 Jacksonville State. The defending national champion was ahead by just a pin at the end of the third game as Vanderbilt—featuring a lineup now including Sydney Bohn—recovered to claim the match 1,118-1,100.
The Dores closed the day with a 971-867 defeat of Western Illinois.
Fifth-ranked Nebraska posted a 5,514 score to top the team standings after the first day of competition, with the Commodores 84 pins ahead of Jacksonville State. Arkansas State and the host Penguins rounded out the top five.
Action Saturday on the second day of the tournament will get underway at 8:25 a.m. CT, with the schedule featuring five traditional matches.