Big Red Finish Runner-Up at Garden State Classic

Howell, N.J. - The No. 5 Nebraska bowling team claimed runner-up honors at the Garden State Classic. The Big Red went 12-1 on the weekend and tallied a pinfall of 13,246(203.8 average). 

The Huskers faced No. 1 Jacksonville State in their first round best-of-seven baker match. NU started with Haley Swindle, Kayla Starr, Kayla Verstraete, Anna Callan and Jillian Martin. The Huskers topped the Gamecocks, 191-187, in game one on a 10th frame Martin strike as Nebraska went up 1-0. In game two, Swindle recorded her fourth-consecutive strike of the match and the team tallied five in a row as the Big Red took down Jacksonville State, 225-205. In the third, the Cornhuskers recorded four strikes in a row led by Martin with two, to secure a 214-181 victory, to extend the match lead to 3-0. The Gamecocks stayed alive after scoring a 210 over the Huskers’ 168, bringing the match to 3-1. Nebraska’s struggles continued into the fifth as the Huskers recorded only two strikes and dropped another, 213-160. The Big Red tallied six strikes to start the sixth game to take down Jacksonville State for the first time this season, 4-2, to advance to the championship match. 

Nebraska matched up with Holy Family in a second round match holding no playoff implications. In game one, NU subbed in Desiree Buchert for Verstraete in the third position and recorded one of the team’s two strikes as the Huskers topped Holy Family, 145-111. The Cornhuskers tallied four strikes and bowled a 182 as NU topped the Tigers in game two, 182-135. In the third, Nebraska scored a 186 to go up 3-0. The Big Red scored seven strikes to start the fourth game and bowled a 223 over Holy Family’s 118, to defeat the Tigers, 4-0. 

NU met No. 3 Youngstown State in the championship match, the second time the two teams have played in the finals this season. The Huskers’ lineup was Swindle, Callan, Verstraete, Starr and Martin. The Big Red dropped game one after scoring a 159 despite Starr striking in both of her frames. In game two, the Cornhuskers bowled a 187 but the Penguins tallied five strikes late in the match to take it, 208-187, extending their lead to 2-0. In the third, NU rolled a 171 and dropped another to Youngstown State, 190-171. The Huskers hung on in the fourth with Callan and Starr both recording strikes in both of their frames as the team scored a 205 to bring the match to 3-1. Despite Callan recording her fourth strike in a row, Nebraska fell to Youngstown State in game five, 211-162, and lost the championship match, 4-1. 

Four Huskers finished in the top 25 for individual performances. Martin was second overall with a total pinfall of 1,085 and a 217 average. Starr finished in fifth with a total pinfall of 1,081 and average of 216.2. Callan sits at 10th with a total pinfall of 1,051 and a 210.2 average. Verstraete was in 15th with a total pinfall of 1,031 and a 206.2 average. 

NU returns to the lanes after the winter break, Jan. 17-19, as the Huskers travel to New Castle, Del., for the Northeast Classic hosted by No. 18 Sacred Heart. 

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

Garden State Classic Final Standings (Final Pinfall):
No. 3 Youngstown State (13,541)
No. 5 Nebraska (13,246)
No. 4 Vanderbilt (14,096)
No. 1 Jacksonville State (14,081)
No. 12 Mount St. Mary’s 13,689)
No. 9 Maryville (13,446)
No. 6 North Carolina A&T (13,122)
No. 10 Duquesne (12,881)
Monmouth (12,773)
No. 23 Delaware State (12,793)
No. 20 Fairleigh Dickinson (12,161)
No. 25 Niagara (13,183)
Felician (12,253)
Wilmington (11,887)
Bryant (11,221)
Dominican (11,623)
Coppin State (10,958)
Molloy (10,548)
Adelphi (10,691)
Holy Family (10,086)