Bearkat Women No. 6 in Preseason Poll
10/2/2013 10:20:00 AM | Women's Bowling
Sam Houston State stands No. 6 in the 2013-14 preseason poll just announced by the National Ten Pins Coaches Association (NTCA).
Nebraska heads the preseason poll, followed by Vanderbilt, Central Missouri, Arkansas State and Maryland-Eastern Shore in the two through five spots.
Following SHSU at No. 6, Fairleigh Dickson, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Stephen F. Austin and Saint Francis (PA) round out the top 10.
“Every poll in each of our program's three years except the preseason poll our inaugural season, Sam Houston State has been ranked in the top 10,” Bearkat head coach Brad Hagen. “Our team is very proud of that record.”
On Dec. 18, 2010, Sam Houston cracked the top 10 at No. 5. The team's highest ranking came on Dec. 15, 2012, when SHSU climbed to No. 4.
The Bearkats return six bowlers from last year's squad that rolled up 102 dual match victories and earned Sam Houston's second NCAA Elite Eight berth in the program's three-season history. The squad won five regular season tournament champions.
Seniors Neishka Cardona and Kimi Davidson, members of all three previous Bearkat squads, are the team's leaders. Davidson produced a 205.2 average last year in tradition team matches while Cardona posted a 198.2 mean.
“Neishka and Kimi are our program's first four-year seniors,” Hagen said. “They know what it takes to get to the NCAA and will provide outstanding leadership for us. We've have a solid group of veteran players and we've helped ourselves in recruiting.”
Other players back from last year's squad that posted 42 victories over top 25 teams include Erin Brown, Anna Groce, and Rebecca Pittser. Joining the squad are Janine Kuwahara, Madeleine McDuff and Jeanette Van Gundy.
Adelphi leads off the No. 11 through 20 rankings. Kutztown, Sacred Heart, Valparaiso and Norfolk State stand No. 12 through 15.
Rounding out the top 20 are LIU-Brooklyn, Saint Francis Brooklyn University, New Jersey City, Prairie View A&M and Bethune-Cookman.
Sam Houston opens its fall schedule Friday through Sunday, Oct. 18-20, at the Tulane Invitational in New Orleans. The Bearkats are the tournament's defending champions.
2013-14 NTCA PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Nebraska
2. Vanderbilt
3. Central Missouri
4. Arkansas State
5. Maryland-Eastern Shore
6. SAM HOUSTON STATE
7. Fairleigh Dickinson
8. Wisconsin-Whitewater
9. Stephen F. Austin
10. Saint Francis (PA)
11. Adelphi
12. Kutztown
13. Sacred Heart
14. Valparaiso
15. Norfolk State
16. LIU Brooklyn
17. Saint Francis Brooklyn University
18. New Jersey City
19. Prairie View A&M
20. Bethune-Cookman
