April 14, 2007
APOPKA, Fla. - As the saying goes, so close, yet so far away. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) came within 48 pins of winning their first NCAA National Championship today at the NCAA Women's Bowling Championships. The Lady Hawks took Vanderbilt University to the limit, forcing a game seven in the best of seven baker series. They rebounded from being down two games to none to tie it as two each. After the third seeded Commodores won game five UMES responded with a game six win before falling in game seven, 198-150.
The Commodores, like the Hawks, appearing in their first ever NCAA Championship.
"I am heartbroken," said Head Coach Sharon Brummell. "But I am not upset. We bowled great this weekend and made it to the first ever NCAA National Championship in program or school history. How can I be upset?"
The Men's Outdoor Track & Field Program won an NAIA National Title in 1967.
Fifth seeded UMES fell behind quick in the match, going down 2-0. Three pins separated the two teams in the opening game a score of 167-164. Vanderbilt put the hammer down in game two topping UMES 242-166.
"We fell behind early," said Brummell "But I told the girls, we didn't come here on national television to get blown out in four games. I told them to bowl like they have all weekend."
The finals aired live on ESPNU at 4:00 pm today and will be tape delayed tomorrow at the same time on ESPN2.
In game three the Hawks got back on track, toppling Vanderbilt 202-154. They bowled that game from the right side lane, one that put up much better scores than the left. In game two the Commodores rolled the 242 on the right side.
Game four wasn't kind to Vanderbilt (74-14) either, as UMES took the win170-148.
The fifth game seemed to be going the Hawks way at the start as they hit "a ridiculous four-pin spare to open game five," said Ira Thor, the tournament's official statistician. But that game didn't finish UMES' way as Vanderbilt won 224-180. The seventh frame appeared to be the Hawk's undoing as they left it open, leaving two pins and leaving the door open for the Commodores to win the game.
In game six the Hawks came rolling back and posted a huge lead going into the eighth frame behind four straight strikes. They would two more to make it six in a row and easily tie the match at three games apiece, winning 235-178.
Game seven was all Vanderbilt though as they kept just ahead of the Hawks the whole way. A missed ten-pin on a spare meant that both teams were headed into the sixth frame not marking on a mark (strike or spare) and Vanderbilt up by eight pins, 72-64.
The game ended 198-150 in favor of the Commodores. They win their first National Championship in Women's Bowling and UMES would take home the second place trophy.
"I said when we came in that we wanted to better than seventh," said Brummell. "I think we meant that goal. I wanted one of those trophies (which go to the top four teams) and there is only one better trophy to get. I can't be upset at all. I am so proud of these young ladies. My hat is off to Vanderbilt; they bowled great today and in the final game were just a little better than us."
The loss marks the end of a career for two seniors, Megan Raymond and Kristie Minnis, who, as seniors, went farther than any Hawk bowler before them.
"Those two young ladies have been a very important part of this team for several years," said Brummell. "I will miss them; the team will miss them."
The Hawks finish the season 94-21. The most wins of any UMES bowling team.
Marion Singleton and Jessica Worsley earned All-Tournament honors. Joining them on the team were Kristi Kerr from Fairleigh Dickinson University and Josie Earnest and Kaitlin Reynolds of Vanderbilt. Earnest was named Most Outstanding Performer.
"You may see these two teams back here again next year," Brummell concluded. "We both return some outstanding talent." Worsley is a junior and Reynolds a sophomore. The other three All-Tournament Team members are freshmen. UMES also returns several key players including sophomores Laura Zanrucha, Sara DiScioscia, and Jamie Culbreth and freshman Michelle Wallace and junior Christine King.
"We will be back again," said Brummell. "We will keep at this and hopefully, very soon, bring home an even bigger trophy."
Championship - 4 p.m. EDT
(3) Vanderbilt (73-14-0) def. (5) Maryland-Eastern Shore (94-21-0), 4-3 (167-164, 242-166, 154-202, 148-170, 224-180, 178-235, 198-150)
