Big Red Duo in Top 10, Huskers Remain First in Ohio

Struthers, Ohio - The No. 5 Nebraska bowling team secured the first-place seed at the Penguin Classic after a 4-1 day, bringing their overall tournament record to 8-2 with a 10,702 total pinfall. Brenna Hartzler led the Huskers with 1,102 total pinfalls on the afternoon, the sixth highest total for an individual bowler on Saturday. 

The Cornhuskers started the day against Mercyhurst in their first traditional match of the day and started with Anna Callan, Haley Swindle, Brenna Hartzler, Kayla Verstraete and Jillian Martin. Hartzler led the Huskers with a score of 215 followed by Martin (199) and Verstraete (183). Callan, in the leadoff position, recorded six strikes and bowled a 174 and Swindle rounded out the team with 164 as the Huskers topped Mercyhurst 935-822. 

The Big Red moved on to face Morgan State in the second match of the day. Nebraska subbed in freshman Kayla Starr for Swindle in the second position and bowled a 205 in her collegiate debut. The Huskers were led by Martin (230) and Hartzler (213) who both recorded seven strikes each. Verstraete finished with 208 and Callan bowled a 195 to put the Cornhuskers over Morgan State, 1,061-961, as they moved to 2-0 in traditional match play. 

The Huskers met No. 17 Wichita State in the third match of the day. Nebraska as a team recorded eight strikes in a row to start the match and a team tournament high of 37. Callan led NU with 10 strikes and a personal and team tournament high of 277. Hartzler followed closely with a 257 and her third straight 200-pin game. Martin (226) and Starr (211) also got over the 200-pin total with Verstraete (187) rounding out the team’s score as Nebraska fell to Wichita State’s 40 strikes, 1,213-1,158, dropping to 2-1 on the day.

In match four, Nebraska faced off against No. 21 McKendree for the team’s fifth top-25 matchup of the tournament. NU recorded 10 straight strikes to keep the momentum going against the Bearcats. All five ladies finished over the 200-pin mark with Verstraete (247) leading the way for the Cornhuskers. Callan added a 216 to the team score with Martin shooting a 213. Hartzler bowled a 205 with Starr finishing with 203 as the Huskers topped McKendree, 1,084-923, to improve to 3-1 on the day. 

NU finished the day against Bryant. All five ladies finished over the 200-pin mark for the second consecutive match. Verstraete led at 232 with nine strikes, followed by Martin (224) and Hartzler (212). Callan (207) and Starr (201) rounded out the Big Red lineup as Nebraska took down Bryant, 1,076-816, to finish traditional match play 4-1. 

Four Huskers currently sit in the top 25 for individual performances. Hartzler is sixth overall with a total pinfall of 1,102 and a 220.4 average. Martin is in eighth with a total pinfall of 1,092 and 218.4 average. Callan comes in at 11th with a total pinfall of 1,068 and an average of 213.8. Verstraete sits a few spots down at 13 with a total pinfall of 1,057 and a 211.4 average. 

The Huskers return to the lanes tomorrow morning at 7:25 a.m. (CT) against No. 17 Wichita State in a best 4-of-7 baker match, followed by two additional matches for final placements. 
Stay up to date with the action by following the Nebraska Women's Bowling Twitter (@HuskerBowling), Instagram (@huskerbowling) and Facebook.

Penguin Classic Current Standings (Pinfall after second day of competition):
No. 5 Nebraska (10,702)
No. 17 Wichita State (10,574)
No. 3 Youngstown State (10,362)
No. Duquesne (10,078)
No. 2 Arkansas State (9,876)
No. 19 Valparaiso (9,578)
No. 21 McKendree (9,340)
Wright State (9,220)
No. 25 Niagara (9,169)
Central Missouri (9,131)
Mercyhurst (9,014)
Morgan State (8,873)
Lewis (8,779)
Roberts Wesleyan (8,712)
Bryant (8,480)
Walsh (8,365)