Huskers Grab Third Place at Prairie View A&M Invite

Arlington, Texas – The Nebraska bowling team went 7-6 to claim third place at the 2023 Prairie View A&M Invite in Arlington, Texas. The tournament featured nine top ten collegiate bowling teams in the country, as the Huskers finished with a total pinfall of 13,476. The Huskers are now 65-27 on the year.    

After 11 games of qualifying baker and traditional matches, the Big Red had a first-place seed leading into the final championship bracket. The Huskers first faced the No. 4 seed of Stephen F. Austin in Round One on Sunday morning. The Huskers began the best-of-seven play with a loss (197-179) before answering back with a win in game two (259-186). NU then struggled, and Stephen F. Austin won the next three matches (237-160), (222-213), (194-160) and advanced to the championship match, while Nebraska went on to compete for third place.

No. 1 McKendree received the No. 3 overall seed in the tournament. The Huskers started the baker match with a win (254-180). McKendree then answered with a pair of wins (235-149) and (235-193). NU then claimed game four (219-189), tying both teams at two apiece. The Huskers went on to seal third place over the defending National Champions with back to back wins (205-145) and (205-201). 

Four Huskers stood in the top 20 overall individual standings. Senior Crystal Elliott led the Huskers in seventh with a total pinfall of 1,264 and an average of 210.67. Kayla Verstraete followed closely behind in 10th with 1,243 and senior Kendyl Hofmeister finished in 11th with 1,239 pins. Freshman Jillian Martin rounded out the Huskers in 17th with 1,224.

Next, Nebraska will return to the lanes for its final out of state tournament on Feb. 17-19 in Jonesboro, Ark. for the Mid-Winter Invitational hosted by No. 6 Arkansas State.  

Prairie View A&M Invite Final Standings:

No. 3 Vanderbilt: 13,869 (10-3)

No. 5 Stephen F. Austin: 13,006 (7-6)

No. 4 Nebraska: 13,476 (7-6) 

No. 1 McKendree: 13,693 (9-4)

No. 2 North Carolina A&T: 12,531  (6-7) 

No. 8 Sam Houston State: 12,710  (8-5)  

No. 7 Youngstown State: 12,971 (8-5)

No. 6 Arkansas State: 12,979 (7-6)   

No. 9 Louisiana Tech: 12,397 (4-9)

No. 14 Fairleigh Dickinson: 11,509  (4-9)

No. 15 Mount St. Mary’s: 12,057 (6-7)     

Prairie View A&M: 11,173 (2-11)