Dec. 2, 2016
KENNER, LA—Vanderbilt was the only undefeated team in the 11-team field Friday and the Commodores were just 62 pins out of the lead at Tulane’s Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Invitational.
Vandy downed Louisiana Tech, Southern, nationally ranked Stephen F. Austin and Alabama-Birmingham along with a bye round to average 199.8 pins per game. SFA, whose only loss was to Vanderbilt, leads pin fall standings at 202.3. The tournament had planned to use won-loss records to establish a champion but when one team withdrew late, the format switched to a pin fall determination.
The Commodores once again tinkered with their lineup throughout the day. Katie Stark led off all five games with Kristin Quah, Giselle Poss and Maria Bulanova occupying the 3-4-5 spots. In the second hole, Emily Rigney played the first game, Jordan Newham handled the third game and Adel Wahner was in for the others.
“We got better as the day progressed,” said Coach John Williamson. “In the morning we didn’t execute well but I thought the last three games were three of the best games we’ve turned in all fall. We were steady.
“We had several bright spots but I liked Katie and Giselle’s games today,” Williamson continued. “They were pretty consistent all day. Adel came in and did her part. Maria was a little inconsistent but even at that, she probably had our highest frame average.”
Vanderbilt will play six new opponents as the tournament continues beginning at 8:25 a.m. (CST) Saturday.
