Huskers Move Up to First at MOTIV Ladyjack Classic

Kenosha Wis. - The No. 5 Nebraska bowling team went 3-2 in the second day of competition at the MOTIV Ladyjack Classic, bringing its overall tournament record to 8-2 with a 10,350 total pinfall, as the Huskers climbed into first. 

The Huskers started the day against No. 2 Arkansas State in their first traditional match and started with Anna Callan, Brenna Hartzler, Kayla Verstraete, Kayla Starr and Jillian Martin. Verstraete led the Cornhuskers with a 247. Martin (214) and Callan (193) followed with Starr following close behind scoring a 183. Hartzler rounded out the lineup bowling a 167. The team tallied a total of 32 strikes as Nebraska defeated the Red Wolves, 1,004-992. 

The Big Red moved on to face No. 1 Jacksonville State in match two. Hartzler led the team with eight strikes and a 248. Callan added a 194 to the team score with Versraete and Martin both bowling a 188. Starr rounded out the team, bowling a 185. The Gamecocks tallied 31 total strikes including a run of nine consecutive strikes as Jacksonville State topped the Huskers, 1,107-1,003. 

In the third, NU matched up with No. 19 Valparaiso. The Cornhuskers again recorded 32 strikes led by Hartzler (279) with 11. Starr (256) and Martin (256) both added eight more strikes. Callan bowled a 214 and Versraete added a 147 to the score as Nebraska topped Valparaiso, 1,152-924, to move to 2-1 on the day. 

The Cornhuskers faced No. 7 Louisiana Tech in the fourth match. NU recorded another 32 strikes and were led by Callan with a 247. Verstraete followed closely with a 245 and Hartzler (238) and Starr (215) also got over the 200-mark. Martin rounded out the lineup with four strikes and a 190 as the Big Red defeated the Bulldogs, 1,135-1,022, improving to 3-1. 

Nebraska finished the second day of competition against No. 4 Vanderbilt. The Cornhuskers were led by Martin (222) and Starr (194). Verstraete shot a 182 and Callan (178) and Hartzler (155) rounded out the team. Both teams tallied 21 strikes respectively but the Commodores edged the Huskers, 948-931, as NU ended the day 3-2.

Four Huskers currently sit in the top 25 for individual performance. Hartzler is fifth overall with a total pinfall of 1,087 and a 217.4 average. Martin is 11th overall with a total pinfall of 1,070 and a 214 average. Starr is in 22nd with a total pinfall of 1,033 and average of 206.6. Callan sits at 25th with a 1,026 total pinfall and a 205.2 average. 

The Huskers return to the lanes tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. (CT) against No. 1 Jacksonville State in a best 4-of-7 baker match followed by two more best 4-of-7 baker matches for final placements.
 
Stay up to date with the action by following the Nebraska Women's Bowling Twitter (@HuskerBowling), Instagram (@huskerbowling) and Facebook.

MOTIV Ladyjack Classic Current Standings (Pinfall after first day of competition):
No. 5 Nebraska (10,350)
No. 1 Jacksonville State (10,308)
No. 9 Maryville (10,141)
No. 3 Youngstown State (10,131)
No. 4 Vanderbilt (10,102)
No. 17 Wichita State (10,044)
No. 2 Arkansas State (10,012)
No. 11 Stephen F. Austin (9,898)
No. 7 Louisiana Tech (9,864)
No. 21 McKendree (9,758)
No. 22 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (9,313)
Lewis (9,232)
No. 19 Valparaiso (9,193)
No. 15 Newman (9,191)
Marian (9,114)
No. 24 Oklahoma Christian (8,891)
Carthage (8,030)