Lincoln – The third-ranked Nebraska bowling team won its fifth tournament of the season, winning the Big Red Invitational on Sunday in front of a nation-wide television audience on the Big Ten Network
Nebraska finished the tournament in first place with an overall average of 224.1 over 62 matches, with No. 1 McKendree right behind with an average of 222.6. No. 7 Arkansas St. places third with their average of 215.9.
“The team’s performance this week was extraordinary,” said Head Coach Paul Klempa. “They showed up all weekend, including on the big stage of live TV on the Big Ten Network. I would like to thank the Big Ten Network for choosing to broadcast our final match and give us an opportunity to be seen all across the country. This was an important week for the team to show the home crowd and the entire nation on television how talented they are. They handled the pressure and distractions very well and it paid off for our second consecutive tournament title and the fifth title of the season. I am proud of this team and how they conduct themselves and their business.”
Two Huskers made the all-tournament team this weekend, as All-American Cassidy Ray placed third with a pinfall of 1,172 in five games and All-American Kayla Verstraete finished fifth with a score of 1,143. They are joined by Arkansas State’s Emma Stull (1,193, first), and McKendree Bearcats Rebecca Hagerman (1,175, second) and Cassidy Courey (1,153, fourth).
Nebraska started day three with best-of-seven baker-style play against the top-ranked McKendree and battled hard to take a 4-2 win by a score of 1,357-1,340. The Huskers took an early lead in the first game by a score of 233-201, but fell to the Bearcats in game two (248-207). NU rebounded in the third game (245-224) and brought that momentum with them in game four (235-215) to make it 3-1. In game five, Nebraska took a loss (214-191), but recovered in the sixth game to finish the match with a 246-238 win.
Heading into the final match of the tournament, the Huskers faced Valparaiso as they made their BTN debut and won the match 4-2 by a score of 1,272-1,094. Nebraska excelled in their first game, taking a win by a score of 257-193, but fell in the second game (206-161). Nebraska fell behind 2-1 as Valparaiso edged the Huskers 202-198 in the third game. The Huskers regrouped and claimed victory in game four by a score of 220-144 with a final shot rolled by Gwen Maeha, and built off the momentum to win the fifth game by a score of 224-167 with help in the final frame from Amara Smith Speights. Nebraska closed out the match with a 212-182 victory to win 4-2 and finished with the highest team average after three days of competition.
The Huskers wrap up the regular season at the Music City Classic on March 18-20 in Smyrna, Tenn.
Big Red Invitational Final Results
- Nebraska (224.1)
- McKendree (222.6)
- Arkansas St. (215.9)
- Youngstown St. (215.6)
- Central Missouri (205.4)
- Wisconsin Whitewater (204.7)
- Valparaiso (191.5)
- Quincy (185.8)
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