2015 Music City Day 1 Standings

SMYRNA, Tenn. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women's bowling team felt like they had something to prove this weekend at the Music City Classic. They put an exclamation point on their performance today, posting a 4-1 record and taking third place overall on the day. Along the way they knocked off the nation's No 1 team Nebraska and picked up four much needed wins.

The Hawks opened the day a little shaky, no doubt from the hectic time they had even getting out of Maryland and to Tennessee with winter storm Thor causing all doubts of mischief. But they still dropped the hammer on the nation's top team, Nebraska. The Hawks have gotten the better of the Huskers more times this season than they could return the favor and today was no different. UMES took a 988-977 win, getting a solid 237 from senior Tatiana Munoz (Ibague Tolima, Colombia) and two more over-200 performances from Thashaina Seraus (Oranjestad, Aruba) and Mariana Alvarado (Leon, Mexico) with a 215 and 202 respectively.

That would be the only game UMES would shoot under 1,000 for the rest of the day.

In the second match senior Victoria Jones (Baltimore, Md.), heated up. The lefty was MVP of this very tournament last season and the oil pattern plays to her game. She led the Hawks with a 238 while Seraus, Alvarado and freshman Melanie Copey (Onatrio, N.Y.) each went over 200 with games of 236, 201 and 204 to solidify a 1075-839 win over Jackson State.

Jones kept going. In match three she again tossed a 238, Seraus added a 226 and Alvarado a 213 with Copey coming a pin shy with a 199 to give UMES another win, 1058-932 over No. 16 UAB.

And Jones kept rolling. She tossed a 228 while Seraus had a 200 and Copey a 221. Alvarado added a 198 and Munoz a 195. That gave the Hawks a solid 1042 but it couldn't topple the reigning National Champions, No. 7 Sam Houston State, who posted an 1102 to hand UMES their first loss of the day.

Jones got better in the final game of the day. She tossed a 245, the best game of the day from any Hawk while Munoz added a 203. Seraus and Alvarado were both in the 190s and the team shot 1,001 to top Prairie View A&M (RV) who rolled a 930.

With the tournament format changed to individual daily events, the Hawks would take third place in this event, posting 5,164 pins, a 206.6 average. Only the host No. 6 Vanderbilt and No. 4 Central Missouri were better as they posted 5,237 and 5,179 pins respectively. McKendree was fourth with an average of 205.8 and Sam Houston State was fifth, averaging 203.4

Of the 29 teams originally scheduled to attend 23 competed today. Only seven averaged 200 or better and only one, McKendree went a perfect 5-0. UMES' 4-1 record was matched by just two other teams.

Jones finished the day third overall with a 227.6 average. Seraus was 13th with a 213.4 average. Munoz and Alvarado were 28th and 29th respectively with averages of 202.6 and 202. The field contained over 150 bowlers.

Since the tournament format had to be revised due to the winter travel problems of many teams, Sunday's play will consist of five, five-game Baker matches and not the typical bracket. Technically an official tournament champion cannot be crowned as two-day tournaments are not considered adequate per NCAA rules.

The tournament is being live streamed on bowl.com, with announcer Lucas Wiseman. One other way to follow the action is on twitter @VandyBowling. While it will focus on the home team, it will provide leader board information. Of course umeshawks.com will have daily recaps and can also be followed on twitter @umes_bowling for the latest updates.