Bowlers take 2nd at SBL Championship

The Sam Houston bowlers capped a strong showing at the Southland Bowling Championships with a runner up finish on Sunday afternoon.

The Kats, who entered the tournament as the No. 5, had to work through an elimination match on Sunday morning to reach the final. After knocking off Louisiana Tech in the morning match, they pushed No. 2 seed Arkansas State all the way to the brink, falling in seven games of the best-of-seven baker match.

"I'm really proud of the way the girls continued to battle all weekend," said head coach Brad Hagen. "Three straight matches we found ourselves trailing after the first game and were able to come back each time and force the third game. I think we just ran out of gas there at the end."

Elise Chambers and Denise Blankenzee were both named to the SBL All-Tournament team.

In the elimination match against La Tech, the Kats trialed after the first two games, but a huge game 3 put them in the lead after a 53 pin win to give them a 39 pin advantage. They held on over the last to games to force the baker match. The Kats then cruise, knocking of La Tech 4-1, only drooping the middle game.

Chambers led the team during the traditional match with a 217, just edging Blankenzee for team high honors who bowled a 216.

In the championship match against Arkansas State, the Kats once again dropped the traditional game, with Kaia Gray leading the team with a 229. They then trailed in total pins after ever game of the team bakers, before posting a 234-153 win in the fifth and final game to take the point and force the best of seven.

The Kats looked like they were on their way to forcing a final best-of-seven match to determine a champion, by winning three of the first four games, but Arkansas State responded to win the final three games to take the match.

The Kats will now have to wait until Wednesday's NCAA selection show to find out if their season will continue. The Kats have been NCAA postseason participants in 10 of 11 possible opportunities since starting the program in the 2010-11 season.

Bowlers take 2nd at SBL Championship

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Players Mentioned

Denise Blankenzee

Elise Chambers

Kaia Gray

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