Jan. 25, 2009
BOWIE, Md. - The nation's defending NCAA Champions headed to the Lady Bulldog Classic in search of their first title of the year. They got it, taking first place on pin fall, amassing almost 10,500 pins, 162 better than the next team and riding the storm that was All-American Maria Rodriguez (Ibague Tolima, Colombia) who averaged a 240.1 and earned tournament MVP honors.
Rodriguez was unstoppable as she posted a pin fall of 1441 over six games including five games over 200. Her high came against the host Lady Bulldogs of Bowie State as she roiled a 279, the highest game of her collegiate career. She went on to roll games of 224, 267, 257 and 233.
She wasn't the only Hawk to post an average of 200 or better. Kristina Frahm (Oswego, Ill.) tallied 1,226 pins and an average of 204.3. She finished ninth overall individually. New Hawk Paula Vilas (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) was close with a 990 pinfall over five games for a 198 average.
Martha Perez (Bogota, Columbia) tallied a 1164 in six games and posted a 194 average.
"I stressed to the team how important it was to bowl well this weekend," said Head Coach Sharon Brummell. "We have to get on track. We have steadily improved since our slow start, but we need to make a statement the rest of this season."
On the opening day UMES started off with six team games and posted a 5-1 mark, dropping a 1045-959 decision to #16 Adelphi off the bat.
"I was hoping we could go undefeated," said Brummell. "That wasn't to be from game one, but from there on out we dug in and really showed what we have, taking the title and nine wins."
The Hawks topped Bowie State (1092-781), North Carolina Central (1008-864), #8 Kutztown (1118-1081), rival #4 Delaware State (928-917) and #19 St. Francis (951-936).
After a 5-1 mark on day one, UMES went on to Baker games in day two. They bowled well in that format. They topped Winston-Salem State, Norfolk State, St. Peters and Lincoln in Baker action. Their only loss came to #3 Fairleigh Dickinson by just 42 pins, 908-866.
Their 9-2 mark improves their season record to 68-20 overall.
The Hawks are back in action on the lanes, January 30th -February 1st at the Kutztown Invite.
