Huskers Finish Second in Orlando

Orlando, Fla. - The No. 5 Nebraska bowling team claimed runner-up honors at Destination Orlando. NU went 10-3 on the weekend and tallied a pinfall of 13,813 (206.2 average). 

The Huskers faced No. 12 Mount St. Marys in a five-game total pinfall baker match before going into its best-of-seven matches. The Big Red started with Anna Callan, Brenna Hartzler, Karina Capron, Kayla Verstraete and Jillian Martin. In the first game, Nebraska bowled a 192 and topped the Mountaineers’ 168. Callan recorded strikes in both her frames in game two as the team dropped a 233-170 decision.  The Cornhuskers rebounded with eight strikes and bowled a 244 in the third to regain the overall match lead to 606-600. In game four, NU bowled a 202 to top Mount St. Mary’s, 202-156, bringing the Huskers’ advantage to 52 pins. The Big Red recorded five consecutive strikes to close game five, as the team bowled a 220 and topped the Mountaineers, 1,028-937, moving to tournament play as the third seed.

The Cornhuskers met No. 4 Vanderbilt in their first round best-of-seven baker match. Nebraska subbed in Kayla Starr for Hartzler in the second position in game one as NU bowled a 207 to top Vanderbilt, 207-203. Martin finished strong for NU in the 10th as the team scored a 184 to take a 2-0 lead in the match. Capron recorded her sixth strike in a row in match three as the Big Red topped the Commodores, 210-193, to extend the match lead to 3-0. The Huskers recorded nine strikes in the fourth match, but Vanderbilt ended up on top, 248-225, to bring the match to 3-1. NU bowled a 220 in the fifth but were edged out by Vanderbilt, 222-220. In game six, the Cornhuskers bowled a 199 to edge out the Commodores, 199-196, to win the match 4-2 and to advance to the championship. 

Nebraska bowling faced off against No. 1 Jacksonville State in the championship match. The Huskers’ lineup was Capron, Starr, Verstraete, Callan, and Martin. In game one, the Gamecocks recorded six consecutive strikes and topped the Cornhuskers, 232-205. Nebraska bowled a 179 in game two and were topped by Jacksonville State, 237-179. NU tallied eight strikes in the third and posted a 243-234 win to bring the match to 2-1. Karina recorded her seventh strike in a row in game four as Nebraska bowled a 222, but the Gamecocks ended up on top, 248-222, extending their match lead to 3-1. NU closed to within 3-2 with a 203-191 victory in game five.  In game six, Jacksonville State scored a 210 and topped the Cornhuskers, 210-158, to claim the title, 4-2.

Four Huskers finished in the top 25 for individual performances. Capron was fourth overall with a total pinfall of 1,153 for a 230.6 average. Martin was ninth with a total pinfall of 1,124 and an average of 224.8. Callan placed 11th with a total pinfall of 1,114 and a 222.8 average, while Verstraete was 25th with a total pinfall of 1,033 and a 206.6 average. 

NU returns to the lanes Nov. 8-10 as the Huskers travel to Kenosha, Wis., for the SFA Ladyjack Classic hosted by No. 11 Stephen F. Austin. 

Stay up to date with the action by following the Nebraska Women's Bowling Twitter (@HuskerBowling), Instagram (@huskerbowling) and Facebook.

Destination Orlando Final Standings:
No. 1 Jacksonville State (11-2)
No. 5 Nebraska (10-3)
No. 2 Arkansas State (11-2)
No. 4 Vanderbilt (10-3)
No. 3 Youngstown State (8-5)
No. 11 Stephen F. Austin (9-4)
No. 7 Louisiana Tech (9-4) 
No. 18 Sacred Heart (8-5)
No. 6 North Carolina A&T (9-4)
No. 10 Duquesne (7-6)
Alabama State (7-6)
UAB (8-5)
No. 12 Mount St. Mary’s (7-6)
No. 23 Delaware State (6-7)
No. 13 Tulane (6-7)
Monmouth (3-10)
Bryant (5-8)
Wright State (5-8)
Alabama A&M (5-8)
Emmanuel (4-9)
Prairie View A&M (2-11)
Saint Anselm (4-9)
Florida A&M (0-13)