Three Huskers Earn All-Region Accolades

Lincoln – Three members of the University of Nebraska bowling team were selected to the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) All-Region Teams announced Saturday.

Sophomore Crystal Elliott was a first-team honoree, while junior Cassidy Ray and redshirt freshman Kayla Verstraete were second-team selections. In 2021, two all-region teams were selected – Northeast and Central regions – since many of the team competed in their regions this year because of COVID-19 restrictions. All honorees will be considered for All-America honors when teams are released later this month.

Elliott was named a first-team Central Region selection, as she averaged a 216.36 in five tournaments during the regular season. Her season was highlighted by a third-place finish at the Mid-Winter Classic with an average of 228.33, which was one of three top-five finishes this year. She placed in the top 15 in all five of the Huskers’ regular-season tournaments.

Ray, who earned All-America honors in 2020, averaged a 208.00 in five tournaments in 2021 to earn second-team all-region honors. Ray had pair of top-10 finishes, including a seventh-place finish at the Big Red Invitational with a season-high average of 226.75. The co-captain finished in the top 20 in all five regular-season tournaments this season.

Verstraete earned second-team accolades, as she averaged a 215.83 in four outings after joining the Husker lineup. Her best finish was a runner-up showing at the Music City Classic where she averaged a 216.8. Verstraete, who had three top-10 finishes in four events, posted a season-best average of 233.5 at the Big Red Invitation to place third.