Photo by: Sara Cox
Kats open season ranked 5th in NTCA poll
10/10/2022 2:58:00 PM | Women's Bowling
ELMHURST, Ili. — The Sam Houston bowling team will enter the 2022-23 season ranked in the top five of the National Ten Pin Coaches Association preseason poll for the fourth time in the past five seasons.
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The Bearkats come in at No. 5 as the team prepares to start play on Friday in the first regular season tournament of the year at the Tulane Invitational held at Colonial Lanes in Harahan, Louisiana.
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The Bearkats finished the 2021-22 season ranked No. 5 after falling at the NCAA Arlington Regional. Sam Houston has been ranked in the top six 10 times in 13 seasons and in the top 25 ever since the program began in 2010.
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The Kats return decorated veterans Bea Hernandez, Elise Chambers and Denise Blankenzee, three All-America bowlers from last season's squad. Sam Houston also added two newcomers who will step in an contribute this season in Nebraska transfer Alexia Cassman and freshman Isabella Colon, who is on the Puerto Rican Youth National Team.Â
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"We are 'young-ish' this year but certainly have a lot of depth potential," head coach Brad Hagen said. "Having three All-Americans returning is never a bad thing especially with a smaller roster, and it will be very beneficial to our season, not only competitively but leadership-wise as well.Â
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"We're excited for the season to start but the pre-season poll isn't our focus. It's not even something that has been discussed. Our focus right now is to be as disciplined as possible and as efficient as possible coming out of the gates. We manage those two things, and we will have another successful first half. One inch, one step, and one day at a time."
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The Bearkats come in at No. 5 as the team prepares to start play on Friday in the first regular season tournament of the year at the Tulane Invitational held at Colonial Lanes in Harahan, Louisiana.
Â
The Bearkats finished the 2021-22 season ranked No. 5 after falling at the NCAA Arlington Regional. Sam Houston has been ranked in the top six 10 times in 13 seasons and in the top 25 ever since the program began in 2010.
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The Kats return decorated veterans Bea Hernandez, Elise Chambers and Denise Blankenzee, three All-America bowlers from last season's squad. Sam Houston also added two newcomers who will step in an contribute this season in Nebraska transfer Alexia Cassman and freshman Isabella Colon, who is on the Puerto Rican Youth National Team.Â
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"We are 'young-ish' this year but certainly have a lot of depth potential," head coach Brad Hagen said. "Having three All-Americans returning is never a bad thing especially with a smaller roster, and it will be very beneficial to our season, not only competitively but leadership-wise as well.Â
Â
"We're excited for the season to start but the pre-season poll isn't our focus. It's not even something that has been discussed. Our focus right now is to be as disciplined as possible and as efficient as possible coming out of the gates. We manage those two things, and we will have another successful first half. One inch, one step, and one day at a time."
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Players Mentioned
Friday, April 03
Friday, April 03
Thursday, April 02
Thursday, April 02
