Feb. 14, 2008

HACKENSACK, N.J. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women's bowling team has achieved something no other team in the history of UMES athletics has done; earned a second place ranking in a national poll. The Lady Hawks moved up one spot from third in the latest National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA) poll and received an impressive five first place votes.

UMES earned the ranking after capturing the championship at the NCA Mid-Winter Classic, an event featuring nine of the top 10 teams in the country. They also took a third place finish in the Bowie State Classic tournament that featured 20 teams.

"This is amazing," said Head Coach Sharon Brummell. "To be ranked second in the country and to receive those first place votes is just great. The young ladies and I are so proud of this accomplishment."

The Lady Hawks are second only to Nebraska who held down the top spot for the second consecutive poll. They received 14 out of the 20 first place votes.

The current NCAA Champions, Vanderbilt University fell to third after a disappoint tournament at the Mid-Winter Classic. UMES topped the Commodores in their only meeting at that event. Vanderbilt received the other first place vote.

Sacred Heart was fourth, up from eighth place after an impressive stretch and Central Missouri moved down a spot to fifth place.

UMES is coming off of a second place finish in the Capital Classic where they posted a 9-1 mark. They currently stand 87-20 on the year and were 78-19 at the time of the poll voting.

They next head to Baltimore, Md. to bowl in the Morgan State Invitational. #1 Nebraska will be at the event and a possible one vs. two meeting could take place.