April 9, 2009
Posted 8:33 p.m. CT
Thursday’s qualifying round is complete. Vanderbilt has earned a No. 4 seed heading into Friday’s double-elimination bracket. Click Here to view the official bracket.
NCAA Bracket Seeds After Thursday’s Qualifying Round
1. Nebraska
2. New Jersey City
3. Maryland-Eastern Shore
4. Vanderbilt
5. Fairleigh Dickinson
6. Central Missouri
7. Delaware State
8. Arkansas State
Some Perspective after a Long Day at the Lanes
CANTON, Mich. — After over nine hours of bowling marathon, Vanderbilt emerged with a No. 4 seed at the NCAA Championship Thursday and learned it will face Fairleigh Dickinson tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. CT.
Few things seem less predictable than a college bowling tournament. Last year, for example, Maryland-Eastern Shore won the title coming from the seven seed while Nebraska, top-seeded and playing at home, was knocked out in two games.
When Vandy won the big trophy in 2007 it was a third seed, and last year when it was edged in a semi-final thriller it was a two seed.
Tomorrow’s double-elimination Baker games are therefore much more about how well you can play than WHO you are playing. Anybody can beat anybody when you can’t play defense.
The No. 1 rated Commodores seemed to struggle with the lane conditions much of the day with the exception of Brittni Hamilton, who was sixth individually with four games over 210, and Josie Earnest, who caught fire late in the team games and was tremendous throughout the Baker action.
Traditionally it seems Vanderbilt is a stronger match play team than when total pinfall is the criteria. For instance, the `Dores won three of four Baker games with UMES in the finale this afternoon but lost the pin fall when outscored by a whopping 238-173 score in the game they dropped. If you are looking for optimistic points, tomorrow will factor the best of seven games, not pin fall.
When you bowl nine hours (just think about how many pounds of weight each bowler lifted and threw today!) it is difficult to pinpoint turning points. At times your team appears to have momentum, at other times it’s a struggle.
Vanderbilt used seven of its eight dressed out team members today hoping to find the right combination. Brittany Garcia and Ashley Belden got a lion’s share of the Baker work while Karen Grygiel and Tara Kane also saw considerable action.
It’s high water mark came mid-way through the afternoon when it caught fire against Nebraska and threw 10 strikes en route to a 277 score.
Posted 6:45 p.m. CT
Game 9: Position Round
UMES 833, Vanderbilt 826
VU 210-202
MES 238 VU 173
VU 208-178
VU 235-215
Posted 6:00 p.m. CT
Game 8: Qualifying Baker Games
Vanderbilt 791, Arkansas State 750
VU 229-213
VU 168-166
VU 182-175
VU 212-196
Posted 5:15 p.m. CT
Game 7: Qualifying Baker Games
Vanderbilt 858, Nebraska 820
NU 229-181
VU 277-198
VU 192-191
VU 206-202
Vanderbilt found some extra motivation near the end of its first Baker game with the Huskers and roared back to win a 856-820 contest in Game 6.
The Commodores had dropped the first of four Bakers when they appeared to reach back and catch fire for the first time of the day, flirting with a perfect 300 game before settling for a 277, the best total of the day. Only Michelle Peloquin’s nine count first-ball in the seventh frame and Josie Earnest’s last ball eight count missed perfection in the game.
While games won and loss are not a factor, the Commodores continued on with two more wins over the pin-leading Huskers and their best total of the long day.
Arkansas State is the last Baker of the day for VU.
Posted 4:22 p.m. CT
Game 6: Qualifying Baker Games
Delaware State 780, VU 762
VU 221-179
DS 193-179
VU 191-172
DS 236-171
Vanderbilt struggled throughout Game 6, starting with a nice 221 but tossing in to sub-180 scores as it could must just 762 pins over the four Bakers. As a comparison, four teams topped 800 pins in the fifth game.
Vandy fans must remember that today’s effort is simpliy for seeding purposes and not elimination. VU remained in fifth position after the last stat sheet had been distributed after Game 5.
Posted 3:35 p.m. CT
Game 5: Qualifying Baker Games
Vanderbilt 798, Central Missouri 740
VU 199-188
VU 207-164
CM 209-180
VU 212-179
Vanderbilt strung four consistent Baker games (5 players rotating frames) to top Central Missouri in the first of four four-game Baker sets Thursday afternoon.
The Commodores had efforts of 199-207-180-212 for a respectable 798 total using a rotating of Ashley Belden, Michelle Peloquin, Karen Grygiel, Brittni Hamilton and Josie Earnest. Earnest seemed especially dialed in, throwing strike after strike until the last frame of the last game.
The Dores are leading their next opponent, Delaware State, early in Game 6 using the same rotation.
Posted 1:56 p.m. CT
Game 4: Qualifying Team Game
Nebraska 1,036 Vanderbilt 989
Vanderbilt lost its lead midway through Game 4 and while its pin total was nearly at the 1,000 mark, it dropped the contest to Nebraska. Wins and losses are not crucial today as the day’s total pin fall determines tomorrow’s seed for the championship bracket.
The Commodores sit in the fifth spot in the tightly bunched field at the intermission, 206 pins behind Nebraska. Maryland EasternShore is second, Fairleigh Dickinson third, New Jersey City fouth with Central Missouri sixth, Delaware State seventh and Arkansas State trailing the field.
The Commodores continue to get strong scores from Brittni Hamilton, who posted a 210 against Nebraska. She is in sixth place individually. Josie Earnest came alive with a rousing 236, using six strikes in her first seven frames. Her relatively cool start puts her in 14th position. A costly string of open frames, some of which are defined as “makeable” did not help the Vandy cause in Game 4.
The afternoon sessions will be Baker format with four more games on tap starting at 2:30 CT.
Posted 12:09 p.m. CT
Game 3: Qualifying Team Game
Vanderbilt 1,004, Arkansas State 886
Ashley Belden 226
Peloquin 163
Tara Kane 197
Hamilton 213
Earnest 205
Vanderbilt bounced back nicely in Game 3, easily topping last year’s runner-up Arkansas State, 1,004-886. Coach John Williamson made two substitutions in his lineup and both paid off in a big way. Ashley Belden was inserted into the lead-off spot and she responded with a fine 226 and Tara Kane came through with a solid 197 in the three spot. Josie Earnest also seemed to get untracked, finishing strong for a 205.
The Commodores are keeping “calm” with a recent team gimmick, a small cloth llama that is called “The No Drama Llama”. It’s being worn by various team members as they await their turn on the lanes.
The victory is the 300th for the senior class during their fine careers.
Posted 11:05 a.m. CT
Game 2: Qualifying Team Game
Fairleigh Dickinson 961, Vanderbilt 925
Garcia 169
Peloquin 201
Grygiel 156
Hamilton 210
Earnest 189
After opening the day with a near-flawless performance, the Commodores struggled in Game 2 with nine open frames (compared to two in the opener). The two most consistent Dores were Brittni Hamilton (210) and Michelle Peloquin (201). Josie Earnest managed a 189 but the two-time Player of the Year does not appear to be honed in on the lane patterns quite yet.
Vanderbilt is currently in action with Arkansas State. Ashley Belden and Tara Kane have been substitued into the VU lineup, Belden responding with three straight strikes.
Posted 10:32 a.m. CT
Game 1: Qualifying Team Game
Vanderbilt 1,018, Maryland Eastern Shore 919
Brittany Garcia 223
Michelle Peloquin 207
Karen Grygiel 181
Brittni Hamilton 224
Josie Earnest 182
Vanderbilt came out in the first of four team seedning games strong, topping defending champion Maryland Eastern Shore by 99 pins.
The Commodores got big games from newly crowned national Rookie of the Year Brittni Hamilton (224) and Brittany Garcia (223) and a solid effort from senior Michelle Peloquin (207.
Of particular signifance, Vanderbilt suffered just two open frames among its entire lineup, those coming from splits. Both Hamilton and Garcia successfully converted tough splits in their games.
The action will continue through the morning with three more team games. The ‘Dores are currently bowling Fairleigh Dickinson and later face Arkansas State and Nebraska.
