FRISCO, Texas – Vanderbilt junior Maria Bulanova has claimed the Southland Conference’s October Bowler of the Month award, league officials announced Thursday. After heading into the 2018 season as a two-time All-American, Bulanova led reigning NCAA champion Vanderbilt to a second-place team finish at the McKendree Hammer Open in Fairview Heights, Ill.
Bulanova placed second individually to find her way onto the all-tournament team with a 219.60 average at the McKendree Hammer Open. The junior was consistently strong with games of 191-224-200-237-246, missing out on the individual title by 33 pins. Bulanova’s performance marks the sixth instance in her collegiate career where she has been named to an all-tournament team. The Moscow, Russia native also shined as the team’s anchor bowler in the Friday and Sunday Baker games. Vanderbilt went 9-4 for the weekend in a tournament that included the top-three ranked programs in the nation.
Southland Bowlers of the Month are voted upon by the league’s sports information directors. Voting for one’s own bowler is not permitted. To receive honorable mention, a player must appear on 25 percent of ballots.
