P>Nov. 6, 2015
VALPARAISO, IN—Vanderbilt went unbeaten over five Baker games, including victories over No. 7 Wisconsin-Whitewater and No. 1 Nebraska, and ended the day solidly in first place based on total pin fall at Valparaiso’s Crusader Classic.
Junior Giselle Poss led the consistent Commodores past Whitewater, Nebraska, Elmhurst, Alabama A&M and Alabama State, the only team among the tournament’s 14 to go undefeated. Vandy had 5-game Baker totals of 993-886-1,046-1,057 and 1,071.
Vandy stuck with the same rotation it used heavily last weekend in winning the New Jersey Jamboree with Tori Ferris leading off, followed by Jordan Newham, Giselle Poss, Kristin Quah and Robyn Renslow.
There was much to like for Coach John Williamson. He noted his team’s modest 886 score in Game 2 came on “screwy lanes that caused everyone trouble all day” but still resulted in a 17 pin win over the Cornhuskers.
Poss, who is a member of Puerto Rico’s national team, averaged nearly 220 in Baker frame average with Renslow not far behind. Quah started the day quietly but caught fire soon and closed strong.
“I am very excited to be a part of this team,” Poss said afterward. “We had a plan coming into the day and we executed it well. I think we built on the momentum we started last week in New Jersey and our confidence is high”
Poss said when the lanes became difficult in the Nebraska game that the team became “gritty” and worked to turn the challenging situation into positive energy.
Vanderbilt has 5,053 total pins with Arkansas State in second at 4,860. McKendree is third, Wisconsin-Whitewater fourth.
The tournament continues over the weekend at the Inman Bowling Center. Vandy is livestreaming its games on http://thecube.com/cube/vanderbilt-bowling and posting results as time allows on Twitter. Saturday’s traditional team play begins at 9:30 CT with the first of five games.
