Huskers Finish Fifth at Music City

The NTCA second-rated Nebraska women’s bowling team finished up competition at the three-day Music City Classic, in Nashville, Tenn. The Huskers finished fifth out of 29 teams in Baker tournament play Sunday afternoon.

Nebraska Interim Head Coach Paul Klempa was impressed with how well the team responded after a slow start on Friday.

“This fifth-place finish gives little justice to how well the team played yesterday and today. The team dug themselves in a hole on day one, but did much better the last two days,” Klempa said. “With this format, if you are not in the top-four going into the last day, you cannot win. So the best we could do was fifth, which we got.”

Klempa noted that the team had the most wins during the tournament, despite their fifth place finish. The Huskers have went 20-5 in their last two tournaments, making Klempa confident as the Huskers now turn their attention to the NCAA Selection Show.

“I think we punched our ticket to Cleveland, we needed to do well and we did… going 20-5,” Klempa said. “That record is phenomenal, and hopefully that will give us momentum leading into the NCAA Championship.

NU opened up as a seven seed in Sundays Baker tournament play, facing off with eight seeded Valparaiso. The Huskers started off hot Sunday, winning 4-1 in the best-of-seven format. The Huskers went on to face Stephen F. Austin in the second round, holding on to a narrow 4-2 victory.

Nebraska closed out the weekend’s competition on a high-note, as NU beat Wisconsin Whitewater 4-3 to place fifth. The match included a perfect 300 Baker game from the Huskers in the fourth game.

The Huskers were led by junior returning First Team NTCA All-American Liz Kuhlkin, as she finished fifth overall in the individual standings. Kuhlkin averaged 210.2 in six traditional team games, including an impressive high score of 234. With the performance, Liz was rewarded with a spot on the Music City Classic All-Tournament Team.

Sophomore Beth Hedley placed 25th overall in the individual standings, recording an average score of 197.5. Hedley’s high score in six traditional team games was 235.

Klempa was also excited with how redshirt freshman Alexandra Mosquera performed on Saturday. Klempa did not start Mosquera, but mentioned that she performed at a very high level.

“Alexandra came in at a time when we needed her, and she did a good job of making her shots when we needed her,” Klempa said. “She hit some clutch shots, and did not leave any open frames.”

The Nebraska women’s bowling team will now have to wait until the NCAA Selection Show on March 26, at 3 p.m. (Central) to find out its postseason tournament fate. Check back here at Huskers.com for updates.