Kats to start season at No. 5

The Sam Houston State bowling team will be the first to compete this fall, when their season gets underway in November. When they do, the Kats will hit the lanes as the No. 5 team in the country, announced by the NTCA this week.

No. 5 has been a familiar spot for the Kats over the years, and they is where they closed out the season last year before the season was cut short.

"I think what it says, is we are consistently one of the teams considered a contender for the national championship each season," said head coach Brad Hagen. "When we bring in new girls each year, they know what our primary focus is, and I think the ranking is a reflection of that."

Last season the Bearkats rose to No.2 in the NTCA poll, their highest regular season ranking in program history. The Kats reached No. 1 in 2014 after winning the NCAA Championship over perennial powerhouse Nebraska.

They return five bowlers off last season's squad, including a pair of All-American selections, Bea Hernandez and Elise Chambers. Along with Hernandez and Chambers, seniors Hayley Connelly and Syasya Ismail all have experience competing at the NCAA Championships.

"In a year like we have had, I think that experience and leadership will be big," Hagen said. "There are still a lot of unknowns with this season, so I think they will be a big part of getting us in position to compete for a championship."

The Bearkats will open the season November 6 at Louisiana Tech. The remainder of the schedule will be announced soon.

Kats to start season at No. 5

Players Mentioned

Elise Chambers

Hayley Connelly

Bea Hernandez

Syasya Ismail

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