Kats enter 2018 ranked No. 4
10/17/2018 4:34:00 PM | Women's Bowling
The Bearkat Bowlers will enter the 2018 season in a familiar position in the national polls – near the top. The Kats are the preseason No. 4 ranked team in the country according to the National Tenpins Coaches Association.
The Bearkats advanced to the semifinals last season at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis after entering the championship as the No. 5-seed. It was the fourth appearance in the semifinals in the last five years for the Kats.
“I think we have set a standard of what is expected with our program,” said head coach Brad Hagen, who enters his 9thseason leading the program. “It doesn't matter how many bowlers we have to replace each year, the expectation is we will be competing for a national championship every season.”
Defending national champions Vanderbilt, who knocked the Bearkats out of the championship last season, opens the year No. 1, followed by McKendree and Nebraska. Southland Bowling League rivals Arkansas State and SFA check in at Nos. 5 and 6.
The Kats return five bowlers from last season's NCAA Tournament squad, including senior Madysen Keller, who bowled the program's first 300 game a year ago and Lynne Fishler, who was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team. Also back are sophomores Hayley Connelly, Tacey Ballen and Syasya Ismail.
The Kats will kick off the 2018 season on Friday at Tulane where they return to defend last season's title.
