Nebraska Remains Second at Music City Classic

Lincoln – After the second day of competition, the Nebraska bowling team remains in second at the Music City Classic.

“The team continued to perform well again today,” Head Coach Paul Klempa said. “Kayla (Verstraete), Crystal (Elliott) and Cassidy (Ray) led the way and played very well all day. We are all pleased with the performance up to this point and look for a big finish in bracket play tomorrow.”

Redshirt freshman Kayla Verstraete climbed her way up to second in the standings with a score of 1,084. Also in the top 10 was sophomore Crystal Elliott in 10th, scoring 1,037 as junior Cassidy Ray bowled her way to 11th (1,034). Rounding out the team were Kendyl Hofmeister (34th, 960), Michelle Guarro (75th, 605) and Amara Smith Speights (109th, 211).

NU was scheduled against No. 6 Louisiana Tech to start Saturday and fought its way to a 965-908 win to start the day. Guarro led the team in scoring with 222 followed by Verstraete in second with 218. Elliott (194), Ray (181) and Hofmeister (150) finished out the Huskers.

The Huskers marched on to bowl No. 21 UAB and came away with a huge 1,032-892 win to bring their record to 2-0. Hofmeister earned her way to lead the team, scoring 248 in the second match with Ray (224) right behind her. Verstraete (205) and Elliott (203) both had games over 200 with Guarro rounding out the Huskers with 152.

Next up was No. 16 Stephen F. Austin, where the team had its lone loss of the day, falling 906-984. Elliott (204) and Verstraete (190) led the Huskers, followed by Ray (181), Guarro (169) and Hofmeister (162).

Moving on, the bowlers took on Tusculum and walked away with a 999-928 win. Ray had her strongest performance of the day, scoring 248 with Elliott scoring 222 behind her. Verstraete bowled a 192 followed by Hofmeister (185) and Guarro (152).

Rounding out the day for NU was No. 8 Sam Houston State, where the Huskers collected another victory, winning 1,119-919. The coaches made the decision to bring in Amara Smith Speights for Guarro. Verstraete powered her way to a day high 279 to lead the Huskers. All the Huskers had games over 200 with Hofmeister scoring 215, followed closely by Elliott (214), Smith Speights (211) and Ray (200). 

The tournament will finish tomorrow with three baker-style bracket games at 9:00 a.m. NU is seeded to face tournament leader and top-ranked McKendree.

Music City Classic Standings – Day Two

1. No. 1 McKendree (10,386)

2. No. 5 Nebraska (10,104)

3. No. 4 North Carolina A&T (9,879)

4. No. 6 Louisiana Tech (9,876)

5. No. 16 Stephen F. Austin (9,763)

6. No. 22 Central Missouri (9,710)

7. No. 8 Sam Houston State (9,580)

8. No. 17 Tulane (9,562)

9. No. 15 Lincoln Memorial (9,232)

10. No. 3 Vanderbilt (9,212)

11. No. 25 Valparaiso (9,133)

12. No. 14 Maryville (9,115)

13. Jackson State (8,966)

14. No. 23 Wisconsin-Whitewater (8,952)

15. Tusculum (8,948)

16. Alabama State (8,819)

17. Kentucky Wesleyan (8,705)

18. No. 21 UAB (8,593)

19. Spalding (7,518)