Kat Bowlers compete at Nebraska
1/19/2012 3:03:00 PM | Women's Bowling
The event will be held at the Sun Valley Lanes and is hosted by the University of Nebraska.
The Bearkats entered the tournament ranked No. 5 in NCAA Division I women's bowling in the national coaches' poll and No. 4 in the National Ten Pins Coaches Association media poll. Sam Houston owns an overall match record of 47-19 and stands 27-19 against teams ranked in the Top 20.
The Kats should have plenty of opportunities for play against ranked foes in Nebraska as eight of the 12 teams in the tournament are nationally ranked including five top 10 teams.
No. 1 Valparaiso heads the field followed by No. 5 Sam Houston, No. 6 Central Missouri, No. 7 Arkansas State, No. 8 Nebraska, No. 11 Stephen F. Austin, No. 16 Monmouth and No. 18 Wisconsin-Whitewater.
So far this year, the Bearkats hold winning records against Arkansas State (3-2), Nebraska (1-0), SFA (5-1) and Monmouth (3-0). SHSU is 2-2 with Central Missouri and 1-3 against Valparaiso. Wisconsin-Whitewater and Sam Houston have not met.
Unranked teams in the event include Alabama-Birmingham, Bethune Cookman, Elmhurst College and Florida A&M.
Sam Houston State finished sixth in the Big Red Invitational last year, going 4-6 on their trip to Nebraska.
The Bearkats have one tournament championship to their credit so far this season, winning the Kat Klash Classic in Huntsville in December. SHSU placed third in the Greater Ozark Invitational and the New Jersey Jamboree last fall.
Play begins Friday with five quad Baker matches. Saturday the Bearkats will compete in traditional team matches. Total pins from the first two days play will seed the finals bracket for best of seven Baker action on Sunday.
In traditional team match action this year, Michelle Secours leads the Kats with a 201.57 average. Other marks for the Bearkat players include Neiska Cardona 197.52, Aida Sanchez 190.45, Lisa MacAllister 188.90, Dayna Galganski 187.85 and Kimi Davidson 185.21.
