Huskers Third After Second Day of Big Red Invite

Lincoln - The Nebraska bowling team remains in third place after the second day of the Big Red Invitational. The Huskers went 4-0 on Saturday to bring their tournament record to 7-2.

Kayla Verstraete sits in third place in individual standings with a pinfall of 1,158 and Crystal Elliott sits in fifth (1,125). Cassidy Ray is in eighth with 1,111 pins knocked down followed by Michelle Guarro in 18th (1,061) and Amara Smith Speights in 40th (920).

"The team continued to play very well as they carried the momentum from day one into today," Head Coach Paul Klempa said. "Our match play schedule was very challenging today as we played the number one, third, ninth and eleventh ranked teams in the country today and we beat each of them. The team has things going really well right now and we look for a big finish for the final day tomorrow."

Before the day began, the Nebraska bowlers took a moment to recognize Alexa Fernandez as a graduating senior.

"It was nice seeing Alexa recognized today as our lone graduating senior," Klempa said. "Her dedication and commitment to the program is widely appreciated by me and all the members of the program. We wish her all the best in her next chapter. "

The Huskers had a bye for the first match, but still bowled a total score of 1,105 toward their team total. Every bowler scored over 200 in their first round of the day. Elliott picked up where she left off yesterday, scoring a team high 240, highlighted by a total eight strikes. Guarro came in second with 229 pins followed by Verstraete (233), Smith Speights (202) and Ray (201). Despite the team's performance, the Huskers fell down to fourth and 344 pins behind the leader, No. 3 Arkansas State. Elliott led the Huskers with a pinfall of 240 and was in 11th place in individual standings.

NU went on to face top-ranked McKendree, going back and forth the entire match until the Huskers claimed a 1,053-1,018 victory. Vertraete led the Huskers with a score of 258 with Elliott (245) and Ray (206) also having over 200 pin games. Guarro knocked down 186 pins with Smith Speights rounding out the team with 158. This win propelled NU into second place, 372 pins behind ASU. Elliott stood fourth in the standings with a pinfall of 485.

The Huskers moved on to take on No. 9 Maryville where they claimed a 1,030-1,020 win. Four bowlers collected a 200 plus pin game highlighted by Verstraete with 229. She had seven strikes and four spares as she posted her fourth highest score of the day. Guarro was second for NU with 222 pins, followed by Elliott (220), Ray (203) and Smith Speights (156). Even with this victory, Nebraska fell to fourth in the standings, 364 pins behind ASU. Vertraete's individual performance elevated her to first in the rankings with a total pinfall of 720 and Elliott remained at fourth (705).

Nebraska extended its win streak to three, claiming a victory over No. 3 Arkansas State, the tournament leader. Ray caught fire on her way to bowling a day high 266 with Verstraete knocking down 243 pins. Rounding out the Huskers were Elliott (227), Guarro (201) and Smith Speights (193). Verstraete continued to lead the individual standings with a total pinfall of 963. Elliott remained in fourth with 932 and Ray climbed up the standings to 11th (876). NU rose to third in the rankings, jumping over No. 2 Vanderbilt, but still stood 332 pins behind No. 3 ASU.

With a 3-0 start to the day, NU moved on to face No. 11 Lincoln Memorial, where it earned a 1,057-1,034 victory. Ray led the Huskers with a pinfall of 235 with Guarro in a close second with 223. Smith Speights bowled a 211 with Verstraete (195) and Elliott (193) behind her. NU finished the day in third, 441 pins behind No. 3 ASU.

Bowling resumes Sunday morning at 8:55 a.m. The day starts with a traditional match before bracket play, which will be decided upon positional standings. NU begins Sunday against No. 22 Central Missouri. The tournament will be decided on total pinfall.

Big Red Invitational Standings After Day Two

1. No. 3 Arkansas State (11,113)
2. No. 1 McKendree (10,808)
3. No. 4 Nebraska (10,672)
4. No. 2 Vanderbilt (10,561)
5. No. 8 Youngstown State (10,355)
6. No. 9 Maryville (10,262)
7. No. 22 Central Missouri (10,000)
8. No. 11 Lincoln Memorial (9,892)
9. No. 19 Valparaiso (9,627)
10. Upper Iowa (9,224)
11. Quincy (9,027)