Bowlers ranked in top 10 of poll
2/6/2025 2:01:00 PM | Women's Bowling
Sam Houston is ranked in the top 10 of the latest National Tenpin Coaches Association poll, released Thursday.
The Bearkats come in eighth as Nebraska's victory in the large Northeast Classic was enough to push the Huskers up from third place in the December poll into the top spot. Nebraska captured 38 of the 54 first-place vote to edge previous leader Vanderbilt. The Big Red finished fifth at the Prairie View Invitational in their only other January action.
The Northeast Classic's unusual conclusion merits a brief explanation. Sporting the biggest field in NCAA history with 38 competing teams, a massive snowstorm was forecasted to strike the east coast. Coupled with the nearby presidential inauguration occurring the next day, which could further complicate rescheduling air travel should original flights get cancelled, a dozen teams opted to leave the event after Saturday's play and missed Sunday's baker brackets.
Vanderbilt was one of those dozen teams withdrawing from Sunday after compiling a 9-1 record over the first two days. The Commodores proceeded to win the prestigious Prairie View Invitational the following week with Isabel Allen earning Most Valuable Player honors. The Commodores received 14 first place votes.
Jacksonville State dropped a notch into third and garnered the remaining two first place votes after placing fourth at the Northeast and second at Prairie View. The Gamecocks were followed by Arkansas State – third at the Northeast and eighth at Prairie View – and Youngstown State – second at the Northeast and sixth at Prairie View – to complete the top five
North Carolina A&T made a big jump from 10th to sixth after its solid third-place finish at the Prairie View. Wichita State, picking up a win at the Saints Invite, maintained its seventh place standing while Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin and Maryville rounded out the top 10.
"We're focused on one day and one event at a time right now," head coach Brad Hagen said. "Consistency wins the race and we're healthy right which is our main priority. We can really help our cause by taking care of February and checking the boxes. The Sports Medicine Staff has done a great job with our ladies and they never get enough credit for their tireless efforts.
"We're able to compete at a high level with our chaotic schedule because of them. It takes a village and we can't thank them and everyone else enough who contributes to our success."
Louisiana Tech and Sacred Heart exchanged spots to lead off the second 10 with McKendree holding down 13th. Wisconsin-Whitewater moved up two spots into 14th with Duquesne, Mount St. Mary's and Alabama-Birmingham next in line. Maryland-Eastern Shore was 18th and Wright State debuted in the poll, coming in 19th after an impressive second place finish at the Columbia 300 Saints Invitational.
Tulane dropped five spots into 20th with Delaware State, Fairleigh Dickinson, Felician, Merrimack and Valparaiso closing out the top 25.
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