Dec. 2, 2012
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Vanderbilt’s bowlers had a strong Friday, a dominating Saturday and two 4-0 whitewash Baker wins Sunday but unfortunately for the Commodores, there was this thing called a semi-final in between shutouts and therein lies the rub.
Fifth-seeded Wisconsin-Whitewater upset top-seeded Vanderbilt, 4 games to 3, in that semi-final and dampened what was otherwise a very good weekend.
“We can’t let one Baker game ruin the weekend for us,” said Coach John Williamson. “We did so many things well and in general it was a good way to end our fall season. But we definitely have some things to work on going forward. In that seventh game with Whitewater we made a couple mistakes at the wrong time (losing a 202-183 game). Otherwise they bowled lights out in the games they won and we bowled well in the games we won and they bowled better than we did in the rubber game.”
The Commodores beat No. 8 seed Louisiana Tech, 4-0, in the day’s first game and crushed No. 2 rated Arkansas State by a similar score in the consolation game for third place. Host Sam Houston State topped Whitewater in the championship match.
Vanderbilt’s Amanda Frywas named the tournament Most Valuable Player after averaging 239 over five games Saturday. She averaged more than 20 pins per game better than second place Sarah Lokker of Arkansas State.
The Commodores Robyn Renslow finished 10th and Jessica Earnest15th while all seven Vandy bowlers were over 200 in their averages.
Vanderbilt is now off for semester exams and holiday break until mid-January.
