Huskers Win Third Consecutive Tournament

The NTCA No.1-rated Nebraska bowling team won their third-straight tournament of the 2014-15 season at the Track Kat Klash in Houston, Texas Sunday afternoon. On the final day of the three-day-competition, NU beat rival Arkansas State 4-3 in the best-of-seven Baker Format match to win the 18-team tournament, which was hosted by defending NCAA Champion Sam Houston State.

Nebraska Head Coach Bill Straub was impressed with how the Huskers competed at such a talent-rich event. Straub said that even with tough lane conditions throughout the weekend, NU rebounded nicely for the tournament victory.

“It was a very difficult tournament this week, there was a whole lot more adjustments that needed to be made, from very demanding lanes,” Straub said. “Fortunately we had something going for us that the rest of the field did not have, right through the lineup one through eight are more evenly skilled than the rest of the field. Thankfully for us, the only downside we have is trying to decide who gets to compete.”

Straub said that with all the depth the Huskers provide, it is difficult trying to get everyone playing time that.

“We are just very deep, it is difficult to try and make everyone happy by giving them playing time, but we are blessed to have really great people on our team,” Straub said. “I don't just mean good at bowling, but really good people in general. It helps us.

He added that the group is really starting to gel as a team, making life for him and Assistant Coach Paul Klempa much easier.

“When you get people this cohesive and this skilled, it makes Coach Klempa's and my job much more easy. We are very thankful for it.”

Leading the way for the Huskers was senior two-time all-American Liz Kuhlkin, who placed third in the individual standings with a game average of 215.50. Kuhlkin had a high score of 277 over the weekend, with a total pinfall of 1,293 in six games.

Straub was impressed with Kuhlkin's perforamance, as he was mentioned that she always performs at a high level.

“Liz is the best, she is the best and she shows it often.”

Kuhlkin was also ecstatic with her performance, but was more impressed with how the team performed overall during the weekend, as she mentioned, the Huskers have opened the season with three-straight tournament titles.

“Three-straight titles is a big deal. We got through a lot of humps this weekend and we showed perseverance,” Kuhlkin said. “We stuck behind each other and made shots when we needed it. Feels very nice going into break with 3 wins and a 37-6 record.” 

Also performing well for NU was true freshman Julia Bond of Aurora, Ill., as she placed 15th with a game average of 199.17. Bond placed one spot in front of sophomore Bri Zabierek, who was 16th with a game average of 198.50.

The Nebraska bowling team will take the next month and a half off of comeptiton, as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campuses will be on winter-break from Dec. 13- Jan. 5. The Huskers will be back on the lanes for competition on Jan. 16-18 for the Mid-Winter Classic in Jonesboro, Ark.

***Sunday results will be posted when received