Photo by: Amy Van Horn
Bowlers to start NCAA Championships Wednesday
4/6/2021 3:52:00 PM | Women's Bowling
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  – Wednesday, the Sam Houston bowlers will begin their quest for the second national championship in program history.
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The Bearkats will open up their ninth NCAA tournament with Fairleigh Dickenson on Wednesday morning. The Kats, who were the final team announced into the field, look at this tournament as a fresh start to finish out the season.Â
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"I think for us, we kind of get a chance to reset," said head coach Brad Hagen. "We weren't sure if we were going to get selected and then having to wait until the very end to find out we are in was tough. Now that we are here, the focus is on winning a national championship.
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"This is now eight straight championships we have made, and I think there might have been some pressure down the stretch to get back here," he said.Â
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The Bearkats lost two straight in the Southland Bowling League Championship after winning their first two matches. The now find themselves in the same region as Louisiana Tech, who eliminated the Kats from the Southland tournament. Youngstown State, another Southland member will face La Tech in the first round.Â
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"This is an all new format for us at the nationals," Hagen said. "We've never had 16 teams all at the same location. But there is a lot of familiarity for us as well, with four other Southland teams here, including Louisiana Tech who have seen quite a bit this season."Â Â Â Â
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With COIVD restrictions affecting many teams travel, including the Bearkats, most of the tournaments were more regional than in the past. This Kats also have battled through injuries this season which adds to the accomplishment.Â
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"It means a lot for any team that is still bowling at this time of year," Hagen said. "With last season's championship cancelled, it has been two years for all of us. Any for our squad to battle through everything we have, this run is special. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going."
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The winners of each regional will advance to the NCAA championship. The championship matches will be played April 9-10. Both regional and championship rounds will be played at AMF Pro Bowl Lanes in North Kansas City, Missouri. The University of Central Missouri and Kansas City Sports Commission are the hosts.
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The regional and championship brackets will be double-elimination, with each round consisting of a best-of-three match that includes the use of three team game formats- baker total pin fall, five-person team match and a best-of-seven baker match play. Regional competition will conclude with one team from each regional bracket advancing to compete in the championship.Â
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The champion will be determined using a best-of-seven baker match play. The championship final will air at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Saturday, April 10 on ESPNU.
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The Bearkats will open up their ninth NCAA tournament with Fairleigh Dickenson on Wednesday morning. The Kats, who were the final team announced into the field, look at this tournament as a fresh start to finish out the season.Â
Â
"I think for us, we kind of get a chance to reset," said head coach Brad Hagen. "We weren't sure if we were going to get selected and then having to wait until the very end to find out we are in was tough. Now that we are here, the focus is on winning a national championship.
Â
"This is now eight straight championships we have made, and I think there might have been some pressure down the stretch to get back here," he said.Â
Â
The Bearkats lost two straight in the Southland Bowling League Championship after winning their first two matches. The now find themselves in the same region as Louisiana Tech, who eliminated the Kats from the Southland tournament. Youngstown State, another Southland member will face La Tech in the first round.Â
Â
"This is an all new format for us at the nationals," Hagen said. "We've never had 16 teams all at the same location. But there is a lot of familiarity for us as well, with four other Southland teams here, including Louisiana Tech who have seen quite a bit this season."Â Â Â Â
Â
With COIVD restrictions affecting many teams travel, including the Bearkats, most of the tournaments were more regional than in the past. This Kats also have battled through injuries this season which adds to the accomplishment.Â
Â
"It means a lot for any team that is still bowling at this time of year," Hagen said. "With last season's championship cancelled, it has been two years for all of us. Any for our squad to battle through everything we have, this run is special. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going."
Â
The winners of each regional will advance to the NCAA championship. The championship matches will be played April 9-10. Both regional and championship rounds will be played at AMF Pro Bowl Lanes in North Kansas City, Missouri. The University of Central Missouri and Kansas City Sports Commission are the hosts.
Â
The regional and championship brackets will be double-elimination, with each round consisting of a best-of-three match that includes the use of three team game formats- baker total pin fall, five-person team match and a best-of-seven baker match play. Regional competition will conclude with one team from each regional bracket advancing to compete in the championship.Â
Â
The champion will be determined using a best-of-seven baker match play. The championship final will air at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Saturday, April 10 on ESPNU.
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Friday, April 03
Friday, April 03
Thursday, April 02
Thursday, April 02
