LOCKPORT, Ill. – The Commodores went 3-2 on Saturday at the Storm Flyer Classic to bring their two-day pin total to 10,226 and move into sixth place on the event leaderboard heading into Sunday’s bracket play.
“Overall, it was a better day,” head coach John Williamson said. “We were a ninth frame against Youngstown State and a 10th frame against Wichita State away from being 5-0. We have done a good job of finishing matches, but those two got away from us. It was nice to see the team respond in the last three matches today. The best we can finish is third tomorrow, so that’s the goal–win three matches.”
Vanderbilt started the day with a lineup of graduate student Isabel Allen, junior Victoria Varano, sophomore Haley Lindley, senior Kailee Channell and freshman Sydney Bohn.
Freshman Saphyre Nofuente entered the lineup in Round 3 and ran off scores of 213, 275 and 289 to average 259 pins per game. Her scoring average was the highest of the day in Lockport, and her third game of 289 pins is the highest scoring game by a Commodore this season.
In Round 4, junior Alyssa Ballard came off the bench and contributed games of 268 and 204 to Vandy’s total pinfall. Senior Kaylee Hitt was subbed in during Game 5 and bowled a 215.
The Commodores suffered close losses to Youngstown State and Wichita State to begin the day. The Penguins bested the Dores, 1,072-1,055 in Round 1. In the match, Bohn bowled a 247, Varano contributed a 226 and Lindley added a score of 208. The Shockers took the second match, 1,034-1,031. Vandy’s highest scores came from Lindley, who bowled a 234, and Bohn, who had a 215.
In Round 3, Vanderbilt defeated Wright State, 959-934, which was the team’s only game under 1,000 pins Saturday. Round 4 was a 1,145-904 Vandy victory over Elmhurst. The Commodores ended the day with a 1,043-940 win over Sam Houston.
Jacksonville State is the current event leader, followed by Wichita State, North Carolina A&T and Youngstown State, respectively, to round out the championship bracket.
Vandy will face Nebraska Sunday at 8:10 a.m. in the first of three best-of-seven Baker matches. Fans can watch the event on YouTube and follow Vanderbilt bowling on X at @VandyBowling for updates.
