NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No. 2 Vanderbilt bowling looks to build on a second-place finish at the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic this weekend at Destination Orlando, a 24-team event hosted at AMF Sky Lanes in Orlando, Florida.
The last time out
Vandy opened the 2026-27 season by going 5-0 on the first day of the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic, including an 1,118-1,100 win over top-ranked Jacksonville State. In Sunday's bracket, the Commodores beat No. 6 Youngstown State in a Baker tiebreaker and topped No. 5 Nebraska 4-1 before falling to the Gamecocks in the championship match. Vanderbilt left Struthers, Ohio, with an 11-2 record.
About the Commodores
Haley Lindley stepped into the lineup against North Carolina A&T on the Penguin Classic's opening day and helped the Dores post games of 268, 267 and 256 to help Vandy beat the No. 9 Aggies 1,169-1,085. The Commodores finished the day second in the pin standings at 5,291, behind only Nebraska.
The following day, Dannielle Henderson recorded a 229.60 average—highlighted by scores of 225 or better in each of her last three games—to earn a spot on the all-tournament team as Vandy earned the third seed in bracket play.
The Penguin Classic was the first event for head coach Josie Barnes.
Competing teams
The list of teams competing at Destination Orlando includes: Alabama A&M, Alabama State, No. 4 Arkansas State, No. 19 Bryant, Delaware State, No. 16 Duquesne, Emmanuel, No. 1 Jacksonville State, Louisiana Tech, Maryland Eastern Shore, No. 18 Mount St. Mary's, No. 14 Niagara, No. 9 North Carolina A&T, No. 5 Nebraska, Prairie View A&M, No. 10 Sacred Heart, Saint Anselm, Southern, Tulane, UAB, No. 2 Vanderbilt, No. 3 Wichita State, No. 11 Wright State and No. 6 Youngstown State.
Wichita State, which beat Vanderbilt in a best-of-seven Baker tiebreaker at last season's NCAA Championship, is in the field. Vandy has already faced five of the field's seven top-10 teams this season.
Format
Friday – five Baker matches beginning at 9:25 a.m. CT
Saturday – five traditional matches beginning at 8:25 a.m.
Sunday – one traditional match and two best-of-seven Baker bracket matches beginning at 7:25 a.m.
Keeping up with the Commodores
The Dores matches will be streamed live on YouTube and Facebook. Fans can follow Vanderbilt bowling on X and Instagram at @VandyBowling for updates.